Recipient of the Pleasance Theatre’s Generate Fund for UK-based Black, Asian and Global Majority Artists, Block’d Off is a hard-hitting one-woman play that follows five characters living in the cycle of deprivation and exposes what it’s like to be working class in London today. Based on real stories and real lives, Block’d Off considers what working class means – everyone knows the stereotypes, now it’s time to hear the voices behind the ‘titles’.
A father putting his hopes on his daughter’s future. A couple of dealers attempting to flee the country. A tutor manipulating his way to normality. A florist always running from brutality. Another young boy, stabbed too close to home.
The production considers how people can so easily be considered nameless, only known by their titles or jobs. Block’d Off brings these people to life in an accurate and truthful way looking at how working class struggles can be universal, connecting many different people. Block’d Off is an eternal story about the human condition.
Writer Kieton Saunders-Browne, a previous participant of Young Pleasance who this year celebrate their 25th anniversary, comments, The play is written for everyone, for the working class to see themselves more on stage and to give everyone the chance to hear these people you may never have crossed paths with. Being an artist, I am in a lot of middle class spaces and environments and I think it’s important for anyone who does consider themselves an ‘ally’, whatever that means, to be able to hear about these experiences as first hand as possible and not just know about it from media that is controlled and written by those who aren’t from that background.
The Generate Fund is supported by the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve.
