The production of Jessica Hagan‘s play will arrive at the New Diorama Theatre from the 31st October until the 2nd December.
It has been announced that Michelle Asante, Jordan Duvigneau, Jahmila Heath, Edward Kagutuzi and Anita-Joy Uwajeh will star in the upcoming world premiere of Brenda’s Got A Baby, written by Jessica Hagan and directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.
This comedy about black womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood – and babyhood, from the makers of Queens of Sheba and For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is a co-production between Nouveau Riche and New Diorama and co-commissioned by New Diorama and Soho Theatre.
After an unexpected break-up and beaten down by comparison to her married little sister, Ama embarks on a crazed journey to become a mother. Rollercoastering from a Black sperm donor shortage to a racialised healthcare system – and an overbearing family of her own – Ama’s charging head-first into embarrassing conversations, awkward encounters and defiant decisions. And time is running out…
Brenda’s Got a Baby sees the New Diorama reuniting with playwright Jessica Hagan (Queens of Sheba) and multi-award-winning company Nouveau Riche (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy) for this world premiere.
Playwright Jessica Hagan said: ‘I’m thrilled to be working with New Diorama and Nouveau Riche again – both incredibly nurturing of my journey as a writer. This play was birthed through a pressing desire in me as a playwright and theatre-goer to make something spirited and audacious. While addressing critical contemporary issues in Black Women’s lives, more than anything I want to offer our audiences a collective release, unrestrained laughter and a unified response to the craziness that happens on stage – so come on down and join us.’
The play originated from New Diorama’s 2022 Intervention01 programme, temporarily suspending public performances to invest in independent artists. The show’s development included community workshops with Black women exploring experiences and norms around family and motherhood, as well as the reality that Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women.
The creative team behind the show includes: design by TK Hay, lighting by Ben Jacobs, sound by Khalil Madovi and dramaturgy by Naomi Oben.
To book tickets visit: https://newdiorama.com/whats-on/brendas-got-a-baby