Talawa Stories: Running With Lions
Original broadcast - Friday 7 May, 2.15-2.45pm - Listen again
A British-Caribbean family struggles to come together after the death of their loved one. With each family member dealing with grief in their own way, they experience challenges to faith and their mental health, and examine the things they do and do not say, as they rediscover the importance of love and joy.
Talawa Theatre Company and feral inc co-produced Running with Lions as part of Talawa’s 35th anniversary. Talawa Theatre Company is the UK’s outstanding Black theatre company.
Running with Lions was recorded in March 2021 during the national lockdown and in line with Covid safe measures. Sian Davila’s brand-new play features an exceptionally strong cast including Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Sex Education, Netflix), Don Warrington (Death in Paradise, BBC), Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, or Change, West End), Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder, ABC), and Lydia West (It’s A Sin, Channel 4).
This production features music by the London African Gospel Choir.
It tells a story with compassion, intelligence and atmosphere.
A Talawa Theatre Company / feral inc production for BBC Radio 4
Helen Tope: The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “a work of real delicacy, probing the weight that words can carry … played with sensitivity … careful not to oversimplify the lines drawn by politics, culture and race”
COMPANY
Maxwell - Don Warrington
Shirley - Sharon D Clarke
Imani - Lydia West
Gloria - Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Joshua - Alfred Enoch
Written by Sian Davila
Produced by Ifrah Ismail
Directed by Michael Buffong
Sound Design by Steve Bond
Sound Assistant: Makashe Ogbon
Production Manager: Sarah Tombling
Executive Producer: Polly Thomas
Series Producer: Gill Parry