The Bush theatre asked six black British artists to respond to the killing of George Floyd in the way they thought best. The result is a range of short pieces that range from Matilda Ibini’s Hey Kid, which takes the form of a theatrical letter to her younger self, to Roy Williams’ Black, a monologue that passes in a blink but which has a haunting power as a man confronts his fears in the shadow of George Floyd’s killing. Alongside a veteran like Williams there are contributions from a rising generation of talent including Benedicte Lombe’s Do You Hear Us exploring the trauma of racism and Fehiniti Balogun’s You Just Don’t Get It—and it Hurts which dissects white entitlement to say and do what you like. Protest comes in many forms including song in Anouska Lucas’ Your Work and Kulungi Ssebandeke’s The Fire This Time. The pieces may be short, but their impact is powerful.

About The Protest

The results explore and debate the arguments and questions about our society that have long been felt but have been given new urgency by the death of George Floyd and the protests that have swept the world. The six responses have been released on the Bush Theatre’s social media channels and have already had an overwhelming response, being watched by thousands of people and actress Lily James sharing Anoushka Lucas’ ‘Your Work’ with her 2.4 million followers. A Q&A with some of the participants, led by Bush Theatre Associate Director Daniel Bailey is also available on the Bush Theatre’s Instagram channel. Bush Theatre Associate Director Daniel Bailey, who curated The Protest series said, ‘The Bush kneels with the black community at home and aboard as we fight the ongoing pandemic - racism and the oppression of Black People. We asked some of our Bush family to lift their voices in a myriad of ways that mirrors the diversity within the Black community... And this is the result: ‘The Protest’. Black Lives Matter.’