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The Incident

“Why do I have to represent a whole race when I just want to represent me? ”

In honour of Black History Month, Poplar Union is proud to present the new award-winning play from Swedish playwright Joakim Daun, The Incident.

The Incident tackles belonging, migration, racism and power through an intimate love story spanning Sweden and Zimbabwe.

What to expect

How ‘progressive’ are people really, when they’re confronted with difficult choices?

The Incident explores the realities of being in an interracial/cultural relationship and living in a different culture, far from family, support and tradition. It examines what it means to “belong” for an ambitious, black African woman in a mostly white male dominated society.

The Incident was created collaboratively between Swedish writer Joakim Daun and American Dramaturge Zoë Guzy-Sprague. The play premiered at the Harare International Festival of the Arts, Zimbabwe in 2017 and was part of the main stage program at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa 2018 where it was directed by Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa

The London run is directed by acclaimed Tonderai Munyevu and Arne Pohlmeier at Two Gents Production and stars Swedish actor David Weiss and British actress Cassandra Hercules.

“It’s a brilliant production because it forces the audience to interact, to interrogate their own prejudice” – Masego Panyane, Theatre and Entertainment Writer, IOL South Africa

Supported by the Swedish Embassy in London, The Swedish Arts Grants Committee and by using public funding by Arts Council England. Grateful thanks to Michaela Waldram-Jones.

More about the project

The Incident project are a group of artists from diverse backgrounds who tell untold stories and produce thought provoking theatre.

The Incident was developed by Swedish writer Joakim Daun with American Dramaturge, Zoë Guzy-Sprague and a group of Southern African theatre makers.

The incident is a performance arts project that aims to create dialogue around diversity, racism and cultural understanding. It has two components, a play and a workshop.

Writer & Producer: Joakim Daun
Cast: Cassandra Hercules & David Weiss
Directors: Tonderai Munyevu and Arne Pohlmeier
Dramaturge and Co-producer: Zoë Guzy-Sprague
Stage Manager: Rachel Graham
Lighting Design: Nic Farman
Lighting Associate: Sam Owen
Scenic Design: Cecilia Trono
AV design: James Ball
Costumer Design: Simon Kenny
Production intern: Isabelle Ezekwesili
Film/Trailer: Anton Califano
Set and Props: Scene Visual Productions, South Africa
Photography: Joe Twigg
Graphic Design: Tosin Sanni

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