A play set in Toxteth was performed on Liverpool's streets.
The Triangle, written and directed by Maria Paul of Nwoko Arts, told four unique stories from over the years linked by one journey along Princes Boulevard in Toxteth. The audience for the performance wore headsets as the cast moved between locations and listened to narration of events and music from 30 years ago.
Maria co-wrote the play with Marjorie Morgan, and Maria told the ECHO : “My inspiration comes from having a lived experience in this area. As an artist and practitioner I wanted to create something I would want to go and see.
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“Its doing things with our voices rather than other people telling our stories and that is really important. It is not work to me it's just pure pleasure and I actually feel blessed I can convey my story and the stories of others in a creative way”.
The performance explored the lives of people who lived and worked in Toxteth. They included workers in the Liverpool 8 Law Centre, people seeking help, a footballer and families displaced due to developers.
They journeyed to the Igbo, Sierra Leone, and Nigerian social clubs, Methodist youth centre discos and reggae nights.
Brodie Arthur articulated culture, feelings and sentiments of families uprooted from their homes. Holly Wright talked about Toxteth nightlife and party vibes.
Alicya Eyo portrayed race discrimination from club doormen in town. Kieran Foster took the audience on a footballer's journey.
Brodie said: “I absolutely adored being part of this play. Topics touched were my mum and dad's generation. It made me feel connected to my roots, family and community.
"It sparked a fire in me. Work like this is vital not only for our history and legacies to continue but to come together and remind ourselves what community spirit is and how it can lift and build an area”.
Holly said: "I feel honoured people like Maria (O’Reilly) came to our performance. It felt like we were watched by community royalty, the people who have done so much for this community.
"It was incredibly special to learn, hear about and be immersed in the rich culture that is here and has been here for a very long time".
Janet and Maxine watched the performance. Janet said: "Amazing, a wonderful journey back in time. I was looking around thinking how many people can relate to what we experienced. An amazing concept for me”.
Maxine added: "It evoked many memories of when I used to go out with my friends, and also my mum. I would be one side of the club and my mum would be the other side with her friends.
“Absolutely fabulous. Loved it”.
Follow Nwoko Arts on Facebook and Instagram for information about upcoming projects.
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