Meet Coventry's Local Engagement Specialist for Touring Together

Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to Coventry?

I was born and raised in Hillfields, Coventry, surrounded by a strong sense of community, creativity, and plenty of culture. Many of the people I grew up with were very active in supporting their local area and built resident-led organisations and initiatives that are still working hard for the community today. I completed my studies here and, through various roles within the arts, health, and community sectors, continued to build my own Cov community connections.

For a little about myself, I thought I'd go for the classic 2 truths and a lie (if you see me about, let me know your guess).

1. I bumped into Denzel Washington in New York.
2. I did the highest bridge bungee in the world.
3. I went to visit the JCB factory in Brazil.

What drew you to becoming involved in Touring Together and, this first year, on Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?

Touring Together is an opportunity to build something bespoke to Coventry. It also creates links to sister projects across the UK which are equally working in connection with their local communities, stories, and locations.

I was first drawn to the project after attending some of Warwick Arts Centre’s Handled with Care programming. This work was really current in its explorations of the past, crafted delicately, and sparked interesting and necessary conversations. Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is a great follow-on from this, again showing that delicacy when highlighting and exploring important histories and stories.

I feel that over the years, Coventry has built a really strong and diverse theatre offering which is shaped with a lot of care for local audiences and seeks to present stories that resonate locally. It is exciting to see Touring Together bring great productions to the city but also champion real investment into connecting the work out into communities.

What excites you most about bringing this production to audiences in Coventry?

Coventry has an abundance of strong female figures within its past, present, as well as, I'm sure, in its future, and this production is a real honouring of strong women. I think Once Upon a Time in Sokoto speaks to our shared histories across countries, our shared values across differences, and the power of our coming together. These are all things which resonate with the best parts of Coventry.

There is so much thought and care which has gone into making this show connect with local audiences in a way that is led from within and is given the space to be personal to who we are and what is relevant to us right now.

What makes your local community unique, and what stories or conversations do you think are important here right now?

Coventry has long been a mix and blend of embracing the new, connecting cultures, and being open to experimenting. It is a city bursting at the seams with stories of strength and resilience, of community and belonging, and of solidarity in the midst of tragedy. It really is a page-turner of a place.

What would you say to someone who doesn’t usually go to the theatre about why they should come and experience Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is a really good opportunity to experience some beautifully written work that is translating stories of the past for a modern audience and presenting this in a unique and culturally fitting way.

I don’t want to be the Tom Holland of the LESs and give away any spoilers, but it has got a little humour, a little history, and so much depth.