Black Plays Series: Readings, Scrape off the Black by Tunde Ikoli

In this enjoyable and informal series, plays by Mojisola Adebayo, Tunde Ikoli and Michael Abbensetts will be read by actors, followed by a lively group discussion. Led by Natasha Bonnelame (until recently the Black Plays Archive Project Manager)

Scrape off the Black is set in London's East End in 1973. Trevor organises a surprise party on the release of his brother Andy from Borstal. But Rose, his bingo-playing, pill-popping mother, has other plans.

Tunde Ikoli was born in London's East End to a Cornish mother and Nigerian father. After leaving school at 15, he spent two years as a trainee tailor's cutter, before writing and co-directing Tunde's Film, shown at the London, Edinburgh, Mannheim and San Francisco film festivals. The film led to a job as Assistant Director at the Royal Court Theatre, where his productions included Mustapha Matura's Play Mas. His first play Short Sleeves in Summer was produced at the Royal Court Theatre in 1974. Since 1977 Ikoli's plays have been produced at a number of theatres including the Bush Theatre, Riverside Studios, Theatre Royal Stratford East, and the Tricycle Theatre.