RAaw to Present 'ENDURANCE'

RAaW are specialists in film, theatre and raw talent. We are passionate about realising excellence in film, theatre, education and training. We create thrilling, exciting and unforgettable film and theatre, attracting new and multi cultural audiences, drawing on current issue led topics as well as the retelling of past stories.

RAaW is led by Artistic Director Robbi Stevens founded in 2003. Since then RAaW has produced many features, shorts, documentaries, music videos and show reels through award winning RAaW Films and musicals, straight plays, sketches and showcases through RAaW Theatre

Endurance is an inspirational play. It revolves around three young adults - Virginia, James, and Adam-from different epochs - all linked through their struggle in the face of oppression. Virginia, a domestic slave from Louisiana is treated brutally from sunrise to sundown - an object of the white man's lust and the white woman's jealousy. Yet in Virginia's own resilient way we see her practice acts of defiance alongside her struggles with hope as she gathers news of the Civil War from the North.

Upon emancipation her life flourishes at the same speed as her ex master and mistresses' contempt. Louisiana's 1868 polls showed huge Republican favour. But, in the weeks before the elections the Ku Klux Klan attacked; killing or injuring, over 2000 people. No votes were cast Republican in the end. And so the white folk plot and carry out an attack on Virginia.

James lives in a post Second World War Soho. He makes up the original hipster crowd that dominated the area; beat poetry-loving, coffee-drinking, skiffle music-listening. But despite his generations desire to truly live, James is constrained: Fired from his job due to his boss hearing 'rumours'. James also lives in the chemical castrating era of Alan Turing and Peter Wildeblood - where homosexuality is a criminal offence.

Down and out James' spirits are momentarily lifted at a de-rationing party. However, mixed signals from his best friend Michael, cause James to act in a way that means he loses everything, including his freedom.The third individual whose story is explored is from the now. It is taken from the real life account of Adam Halabiya who lives in Abu Dis in the West Bank. Adam struggles coming of age in a world where he is confined by walls and constant attacks. Coming home from football one night him and his cousin are greeted at a checkpoint by IDF officers. They shoot Adam, beat him, hit him with their gun butts, drag his body and allow it to be mauled by dogs. In Jordanian hospital Adam slowly regains his health and eventually is able to play football again. However, he is once more arrested and beaten, blindly signing Hebrew documents to bring about his freedom - back into West Bank life of fear.

By incorporating music, facts, and emotionally packed story lines plunging the audience into the cultures presented, not only does Working Title force the audience to think about the make up of their current world it also asks emphatically fundamental societal questions to which the audience is urged to find answers.

Performances will be held at Tristan Bates Theatre, 1A Tower Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NP. Tickets are £15 Full - £10 concessions and can be purchased by calling 020 7240 6283.

Photo Credit: RAaw

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