Image Text:

HEROES: First World War soldiers

A PLAY that highlights the crucial role black soldiers played in the First World War and their impact on society today will premiere this weekend.

Charles – The Last Black Soldier of the First World War, is written by Lorna Blackman, the managing director of the Big People's Theatre Company.

The idea developed as part of Blackman's A-level English literature course in 2002.

Blackman, of Tottenham, north London, said: “I began to research the First World War on the internet and found that young black men played an important role in war effort of this country.

"I tried to ignore 'Charles' but it was impossible, especially when I received news of the tragic death involving a young black man and guess what? His name was Charles.”

Blackman hopes her production will make a link between black war heroes, and the negative pathway some young men go down today.

The play begins in 1911 with a group of soldiers in the trenches fighting, then fast forwards to 2013 in an inner city school where a young girl is being bullied.

She finds a picture of a group of young black soldiers going off to war.

Flashback is used to recall the events of these soldiers and also touches on contemporary issues faced by the black community.

Blackman explained how the play never have come to fruition if it had not been for a small stroke of fate.

“I lost my original essay and while I was clearing out my back room I found it," said Blackman.

"At the same time I was feeling demoralised over how my son was treated in a job interview. My son told me how he had be assertive and polite at the same time, but the treatment that he received was very dismissive.

"I then began to hear about other cases of young black men attending interviews and receiving the same type of treatment. I was convinced that the stereotype of young black males has to stop.”

Blackman has written, produced and directed several plays within the last year and was honoured with a Black Heroes Award for her contribution to the Haringey community.

She is also a member of the Goldsmith College Alumni Society and volunteers her time her time delivering LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) courses to children and adults who are unable to access mainstream drama school.

She added: “I really do believe that drama can open channels for learning and engage even the most challenging students. My teaching is unconventional but successful. This is evident by the pass marks in the LAMDA examinations by my students.

"Now I want to be given the opportunity to work in an inner city London school. I would also like to run extra enrichment classes after school encouraging students to take courses that are accredited."

Charles – The Last Black Soldier of the First World War takes places at Chats Palace, Brooksby's Walk, in Hackney, east London. Tickets cost £10 and £8 (concessions). Doors open at 7pm