It’s very rare that we get to see the lives of Black Britons on screen, big or small, and, on the rare occassions when we do, it’s usually from a rather limited perspective.

The lack of depth or diffusion of the portrayal of black lives in the UK is  possibly because most of these films are being written by white writers and made by white directors and producers looking to tell what they perceive to be authentic “urban” tales as opposed to human stories that feature black people, something that I wrote about here a couple of months ago. So it’s often both refreshing and disappointing when the lives and experiences of black people in the UK are portrayed at all, whether it be on TV or film.  From my own experience, I’ve found that, for a more varied view of black people in Britain, the stage is probably the best place to turn.

This winter, the Tricycle Theatre, London, presents Not Black and White, a series of three plays by  black playwrights that look at the state of Britain at the end of the first decade of the 21st century.

Category B by Roy Williams:
Thu 8 Oct 2009 – Sat 19 Dec 2009

“No one wants to go to a Cat B prison, no-one wants to come here, prisoners and screws alike.”

Saul runs a tip-top wing – the screws love him for it, especially Angela. Prisoners follow his rules, and it’s all gravy. But Saul’s number two position is vacant, new inmates are flooding in, so everyone’s feeling the heat. Errol could fill the gap, but he’s up for parole in 6 weeks, and new kid Rio’s rocking the boat. No-one wants to go to Cat B, but the world on the outside is a different story.

Seize the Day by Kwame Kwei-Armah:
Thu 22 Oct 2009 – Thu 17 Dec 2009

“The symbolism of having a Black mayor! A city of 45% colour, should have a mayor of colour don’t you think?”

Jeremy Charles has got the face to represent it – a well-spoken, good-looking Londoner, with an appetite for change: yes he can! He’s sold his pitch on reality TV, but can he be the real people’s candidate?

Detaining Justice by Bola Agbaje:
Wed 25 Nov 2009 – Tue 15 Dec 2009

Justice is locked in a cold dark cell, his asylum application pending.

His sister Grace would like to help, but has been told to leave it in God’s hands. Government Prosecutor Mark Cole has an infallible reputation for successful prosecutions – however he has had a change of heart – and job. His first case is for the defence of Justice – but, in his new role, is Cole the man to help? The cloud of recession looms, unemployment rises, and the fight to remain is tougher than ever.

For details of performance times, tickets and more about each playwrite, visit the Tricycle Theatre website.