Zena Edwards’ “Security”

The show is written and performed by Zena Edwards. Directed by Anthony Shrubsall. Produced by Apples & Snakes and commissioned by Birmingham Rep in association with BAC. The image below was taken by Clive ‘Kofi’ Allen.

It is a comical and moving tale of unexpected friendship which confronts the issue of security and identity through a fusion of performance poetry, hip hop theatre, movement and song. It’s the chaotic stories of four ordinary characters. Four extraordinary people with stories of resilience and evolution. All are exposed through the eye of a camera.

They live in Tottenham and Peckham but their stories could be about any inner city area such as Brixton, Peckham, Stonebridge, Hansworth, Liverpool etc where an emptied street bin is a good days work and blown out cars and full nappies in the road is your regular Monet street painting.

These people have a knack for stepping over the cracks in the pavement and getting home in one piece. In the meantime, they connect with their people, share jokes, eat rubbish food, find the light in the dark. Algernon, Ayleen, Mahmoud and Elijah share a split second of air time in the show, then step off into oblivion, only to be captured here, in cyberspace and in the memories of those who encounter them.

“Security” is a concept that unites what is real and what is imagined. The show is the catalyst. The entire project includes a book, a film, a workshop program, a forum, a journey – but fundamentally the project was create to inspire a conversation about change. Click here for Zena’s blog to read some of her thoughts and inspiration.

For the show’s gallery click image.

Two of its main characters, Mahmoud and Ayleen, were conceived from a creative writing workshop exercise four years ago. Two years later they were rescued from a ring binder and dusted off. As the show developed, they incubated. And then, another two years on, “Security” was born. What happens when one generation collides with another and cultural expectations clash? Does the flash of a blade in broad daylight mean the end or beginning of Security?

CLICK TO MEET THE CHARACTERS. DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THEIR PERSONAL BLOGS TOO.

Ayleen Venetia Benoit – aged 16

Mahmoud Mairanay Khazendar – aged 47

Algernon Dennis Brooks – aged 80

Elijah Paul Benoit – aged 16

Tha Endz

ENTER THE WORLD OF “SECURITY” HERE.

Reviews

“As a performer and writer, Zena Edwards takes storytelling into the twenty-first century.”

“Edwards is a superb performer, equally at ease as an elderly Caribbean man, as a would-be teenage MC, Ayleen, or as a lonely 47-year-old Palestinian photographer, Mahmoud.” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

For more online reviews, click

www.afridiziak.com/theatrenews/reviews/review-security

www.timeout.com/london/theatre/reviews/6234/security

www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/security

THE BOOK

The book is a script of the show published by Flipped Eye Publications in May 2009.

http://www.flippedeye.net/

Don’t care what anyone says about Myspace, I’m glad I was addicted to it like crack for a few months otherwise I wouldn’t have found a talented guy whose illustrations have added just the right flavour to the pages of my first full published work.

25 year old Artist Leo Stiles born and raised in the outer boroughs of London. Been scribbling since a young age and strives for originality in his work, always moving in new directions and experimenting with techniques and ideas of expressing himself. “Making your Jeans Wilder since 2002″. Check out his myspace page http://www.myspace.com

Buy at http://uk.flippedeye.net/2009/02/zena-edwards/

THE FILM

This was a truly inspiring part of the project and an exciting venture to undertake. The innovative Gary Tanner whose vision of performance and theatre opened my eyes to the multi-dimensional possibilities of spoken word and film. Yet again “Security” was a tool to inspire. We called a super talented young film maker Peter Nwabuokei to take part in the filming day and it was an intense and fulfilling day for all. The collaboration was a brilliant.

Film available end of May 2009.

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