All that jazz from Talawa

The hidden history of the Black pioneers who brought jazz from America to the UK via Liverpool is told in Syncopated, a new play from Talawa Theatre Company at Liverpool Playhouse Studio (September 23- October 4) as part of Talawa's Black Joy season.

Syncopated tells the story of Him, a music student from London, and Her, a young Liverpudlian, discovering each other and unearthing the hidden Black history of the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, an early jazz group from New York known for bringing Black musicians to the UK.   

Playwright, editor and artist Varaidzo, whose previous writing credits include: Bus Stop (shortlisted for The Guardian and 4th Estate 4thWrite prize); The Good Immigrant; Who’s Loving You and Manny and the Baby, which was shortlisted for this year's Jhalak Prose Prize.

Artistic director of Talawa Michael Buffong said, "The Black Joy season has been one of the most ambitious and successful endeavours in our nearly 40-year history. Bringing the season to a close with Syncopated is a full-circle moment, nurturing new work rooted in Liverpool’s musical culture and history.

"It's an honour to have the opportunity to collaborate with Varaidzo and the team at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse to do what we do best: shine a light on the prodigious talents of Black and global majority creatives.”

More info and tickets here