I’m so grateful to have been a part of this project because its given me the opportunity to read more (new year’s resolution) and also engage with my playful side where I make ALL THE RULES!
My initial idea for the 15 books I received was to write three words that best described each one. Inspired by “All the Stories” by Dora Garcia, I moved on to creating 5 imaginary blurbs from the words I came up with .
The next stage is to bring one of these to life as an actual play. So before you carry on, I must warn you that reading the content below automatically inducts you as the 2nd player of this game! But fear not, the steps are easy. All you need to do is:
1- Read the imaginary blurbs below
2- Pick your favourite one
3- Tweet the number to me via @gailegbeson or my website https://gailegbeson.com/contact-me and
4- I’ll challenge myself to bring the most voted one to life!
Are you ready?
On your marks.... Get set.....
GO!
GROUP 1
A General Theory of Love by T. Lewis, F. Amini & R. Lannon- (Passions, Feelings, Emotions)
The Hollywood Meme by Iain Robert Smith - (Comprehensive study, Adaptation, Worldwide)
Did I hear you write by Michael Rosen - (Education, Children, Creative)
“One day, the children in a rural London Town express their concerns regarding the new system of eduction that seems to be inventing a rather dull adaptation to their creative passions worldwide. With their voices ignored, they decide to take matters into their own hands by embarking on a comprehensive study to find out exactly how deep this change will go in the hopes to make the adults take their feelings seriously. Will they succeed or just seen as kids filled with silly emotions?”
GROUP 2
Keywords by Raymond Williams- (Glossary, Examinations, Deep dive)
Perspectives on Society by R. Meighan, I. Shelton & T. Marks- (Sociology, Education, Students)
The Grey Gentlemen by Michael Ende- (Fantasy, Childhood, Time)
“ A group of sociology students find themselves trapped in a time based fantasy from their childhood. In order to get back, one true hero must successfully pass the hardest examinations in the history of education. Little did he know that taking this deep dive will lead him to glossary full of unwanted answers.”
GROUP 3
One Way Street by Walter Benjamin - (Critical thinking, Mythology, Life)
An African Princess by Lyra Edmonds- (Lessons, Home , Innocence)
Social Class in the 21st Century by Mike Savage - (Politics, Data collection, Reviewing)
“In a home where critical thinking and mythology are forbidden, two sisters anticipate starting their majors in Politics next summer. However, upon reviewing their lives, the data they’ve collected reveals the unfortunate limitations of their innocence as stumbling block for the life awaiting them. The real question is; what lessons must they learn before embarking on their journeys or should they just stay home?”
GROUP 4
All the Stories by Dora García - (Collection, Imagination, Variety)
The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis - (Activism, Strategies, Survival)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - (Tragedy, Ambition, Masculinity)
“Three friends with the ultimate ambition of never growing up decide to create a collection of strategies to stop their parents from forcing them into adulthood. With their activism failing at every attempt, the young boys are faced with the tragedy of having to fend for themselves and establishing their new goals for survival. Will they accept their current fate along with the variety of their masculinity or rather let their imagination see them through?”
GROUP 5
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell - (Rage, Humour, Class wars)
Animal Farm by George Orwell - (Political , Rebellion, Society)
Swing Time by Zadie Smith - (Identity, Power, Dreams)
“In the heart of a liberal society, where rage and power proceeds. A young man named Trevor protests his belief for reinventing ones true identity. Such rebellion begins to spark hatred towards him from town locals which enacts a fresh rise in political humour and class wars. Will this newly birthed chaos bring Trevor's dreams to an end?”
*****
Gail Egbeson is a playwright currently living in Barking. Her writing promotes diversity and aims to reach communities who are eager to witness more identifiable characters that represent them through cultural inclusion, in inventive and positive ways. Her recent play ‘Jollof Court’ was awarded the Billy Cashmore residency at Lyric Hammersmith and was later commissioned by a youth theatre company for a Black History Month Tour last year, with performances in venues including Theatre Peckham and Schools within East London. It then went on to a sold-out run at Vault Festival 2020 with recommendations from Lyn Gardner and Time Out London as festival top picks. The play was shortlisted for the #UntappedAward2020 (A partnership between Underbelly, New Diorama Theatre and Oberon Books). It has also headlined two theatre festivals in Lagos Nigeria. Gail has been selected for Mercury Theatre's Playwright Program, and she is also working with Rikki Beadle-Blair on a book of audition speeches/monologues for BAME and working class performers.
18.05.2021
