THE BACKGROUND Last year, during the first lockdown in June 2020, I was given the opportunity to develop an idea I had kept locked away for years The Paradise Bar. With a small pot of money for artists, we did our first stage R&D with a four day online zoom experiment around the concept with two performers, two writers and a creative associate. All final material was filmed on our phones. The team had a great time working together and with two strong characters created, we all felt that this could grow into a full length piece. THE PIECE In late 2020, an application was submitted to Arts Council England for a 3 week R&D period to develop the work. Originally meant to be performed for a live audience and via a live stream, due to the pandemic, plans were revised and instead we made a film! Creating a film allows us to share the characters and their journeys with you, giving you a sense of the concept and environment as you may have experienced it live. This film was created during 12 days of zoom-only devising and rehearsal sessions. The piece is made up of all new writing and music composition, features an all black cast, a mixed Deaf and hearing cast and a racially and culturally diverse support team from across the country. Fusing dance, spoken word, music, vogueing and BSL poetry, the stories of the inhabitants of The Paradise Bar unfold. We had one covid-safe day of filming at the end of the project to record all of the material we had created, we filmed on green screen with the jazz bar environment being added later. THE CREATIVE TEAM LEADS

TALITA MOFFATT SOWETO KINCH KEVAN SMITH ROLE Creator, Director & ROLE Composer & Music ROLE Filmmaker & Film Exec. Producer Collaborator Collaborator Former dancer, performer Award-winning alto-saxophonist Kevan is a videographer, and community arts tutor and and MC Soweto Kinch is one of photographer and content choreographer, Talita is now an the most exciting and versatile creator with roots in the film and established Producer and creative. musicians in both the British jazz television industry stemming Having been in the game over and hip-hop scenes. Undoubtedly, from a career as a production 20 years Talita has supported one of the few artists in either rigger and automation specialist. many artists, particularly in genre with a degree in Modern Building on a 20 year career in the their first steps to one-person History from Oxford University film and television industry, Kevan shows, collaborations, venue he has amassed an impressive supplemented foundational partnerships, funding bids and list of accolades and awards – experience in lighting and tours. Talita has now returned including a Mercury Music Prize sound recording through his to the studio to facilitate and nomination, two UMA Awards studies at London Film Academy. Direct her concept piece The and a MOBO for best Jazz Act Kevan started his own video Paradise Bar, a new production before being honoured with production company in 2018, bringing together a wealth of second MOBO Award in the Best creating photo and video content experience, an amazing team Jazz Act category- fending off for international brands and of creative collaborators and of stiff competition from the likes of businesses across western Europe course a bespoke engagement Wynton Marsalis. working on projects for Tesla, Mars programme for young people. Incorporated, X Factor. CREATIVE COLLABORATORS

JUSTINE AGBOWU JIM BASHFORD BECKY BARRY BROKEN PEN / ABZ XHOSA COLE ISI ‘THE SCRIBE’ ADEOLA ROLE Poet & Writer ROLE Musician ROLE Creative Associate ROLE Writer & Spoken Word Artist ROLE Musician The Drummer Co-Founder of Croydon-based Jim Bashford began playing Becky is a theatre maker & BSL/ Broken Pen (Abz) is a spoken Winner of the 2018 BBC Young ROLE Spoken Word Artist & Actor drums from an early age, ‘Well Versed Ink’, Justine English interpreter (Becky Allen word artist and musician who Jazz Musician of the year, up in Isi ‘the Scribe’ Adeola is an actor, influenced by rock and jazz. Self- Agbowu is a poet, writer, events RSLI). She is passionate about performs across London and the Handsworth and first played voiceover artist, spoken word poet taught for the first six years he coordinator and facilitator who accessibility, representation and UK. He is also the Youth Support the Tenor at Andy Hamilton’s and zoologist. Isi has been writing then came under the tutelage of also delivers workshops in her liberation - onstage and off. She Worker for the incredible 4Front Ladywood Community Music poetry for over a decade and has Steve Palmer. community to young people and has worked extensively across Project who empower young School. been a performing artist since adults helping to cultivate their Later he put himself first through the UK and abroad, including people to fight for justice, peace Xhosa has performed twice at the 2013, when he gained a Masters stories . Justine was part of The a popular music course, then collaborations with Shakespeare’s and freedom. Abz was part BBC Proms, composed music for degree in Wild Animal Biology. Paradise Bar R&D 1 as a writer/ Birmingham Conservatoire Globe, The RSC and Derby of The Paradise Bar R&D 1 as a the Ripieno Players and recorded He has performed at Rich Mix, the poet. jazz course while working in Theatre. She was also delighted writer/poet as a writer/poet and saxophone for Mahalia’s debut Science Museum, the Dominion construction full time. At the to mentor two members of performed on ITV’s The Voice 2021. album ‘Love and Compromise’. Theatre, the Allphones Arena in Conservatoire he studied under Graeae’s Ensemble. He also received the Sydney, the O2 Arena in London Tony Levin, Gene Calderazzo, Parliamentary Jazz Award for and the Theatre in Madison Jeff Williams and Malcolm ‘Best Newcomer’ in 2019 and Jazz Square Garden in NYC. He also Garrett. Jim has performed as a FM ‘Breakthrough act of the year’. recently appeared on ‘Saturday part of the award winning Lluis Live’ on BBC Radio. Mather’s Quartet, worked with the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Birmingham Conservatoire. Jim is an active member of no less than 20 ensembles and has played with critically acclaimed artist such as Jean Toussaint, Soweto Kinch Jason Rebello to name few. CREATIVE COLLABORATORS

SIMEON CAMPBELL RAFFIE JULIEN IMOGEN MORRIS-LEY DONNA MULLINGS JAY JAY REVLON AYANNA WITTER-JOHNSON The Barman The Dancer. ROLE Graphic Designer The Cloakroom Attendant The Dancer ROLE Musician & Vocalist ROLE Dancer & Choreographic ROLE Dancer, Translator & Imogen was born and grew up in ROLE Actor, Translator & BSL ROLE Ballroom/Vogue Artist Singer, songwriter, cellist Ayanna collaborator Choreographic Collaborator London. Consultant Jay Jay has been an early and is a rare exception to the rule Simeon is a Dancer, teacher, Raffie is a professional Deaf With a passion for anything Donna is a professional Deaf devoted influence on the London that classical and alternative r&b Visual Artist and choreographic Dancer, Actor and BSL translator creative and a keen eye for design, actress who has worked with both Ballroom scene for the past five music cannot successfully coexist. collaborator. born and raised in Manchester. she graduated from Falmouth Deaf and Integrated mainstream years and has been instrumental Graduating with a first from Born profoundly deaf, at the age with a BA Hons Degree in theatre companies. in defining how Ballroom in the the Laban School of Music and Born in London, he studied the Manhattan School of Music, at Greenwich Musical Theatre of 3, Raffie was hugely influenced Graphic Design. Donna is an amazing BSL UK is run. As Father of the ‘UK and inspired by Michael Jackson House of Revlon’ and founder of she has collaborated with Nitin Academy. He is a member of the Imogen has worked with a variety Consultant who helps to provide a Sawhney, toured with Courtney Birdgang Collective movement and wanted to be like him. ‘You’re of different clients from arts bridge and facilitates connection the ‘Kiki House of Tea’, Jay Jay is a a normal young girl, just without leading authority of Ballroom in Pine, recorded with Akala and architects. organisation to charities, SME’s between the deaf and hearing composed for the London hearing’ her mum always said, and the NHS. world. the UK. Sim has performed with Alexadra and these words were a constant Symphony Orchestra. Burke on The X Factor, with Imogen’s USP is the subtle way in Her Deafinitely Theatre work From leading workshops at Tate inspiration to Raffie to pursue her Britain and SouthBank Centre, to The twist is her winning the Whitney Houston, Beyonce and dream of becoming a dancer. which she takes her clients on a includes: Something Else acclaimed amateur night at the Rita Ora and has toured Europe creative journey to discover their (UK tour), Love Labour’s Lost bringing his inclusive flare to The Marlborough for Brighton Pride, Apollo in Harlem, gaining a MOBO and the UK extensively. true vision and aims resulting in a (Shakespeare’s Globe), Children of award nomination and getting design that exceeds their original the Greater God (Jackson’s Lane he is a frequent collaborator with Simeon is a CODA and inhabits LGBTQ+ artists and is a major airplay on BBC Radio 1 & BBC the border between his deaf goals and expectations. Theatre) and Vagina Monologues 1Xtra. (Cochrane Theatre). force in the dance and music family and the hearing world. Taking inspiration from various world. mediums, Imogen seems to effortlessly create a product that is exactly what the client wants. Her work focuses on finding creative solutions that inspire and excite and that tell a clear translatable story about the brand. BEHIND THE SCENES

and media field. Born and raised in Bristol,She is a steering group member of Interpreters of Colour network & is passionate about interpreters being cast for events & shows too.

STACEY GREEN RACHEL JONES TARA PAGE & VICTORIA KATE TRAVERS ANNA KITSON ROLE BSL/English Interpreter ROLE BSL/English Interpreter GIBB ROLE Access Support ROLE BSL/English Interpreter Stacey Green is a Registered Rachel is a professional Sign ROLE Engagement Coordinators Kate’s work focuses on Anna has been a BSL-English Sign Language Interpreter Language interpreter , born for The Members Lounge understanding the stories, values Interpreter for over 10years. (RSLI) specialising in the theatre and raised in Wolverhampton, Victoria and Tara run Offset and intentions of organisations, Her focus is within the creative and dance domains. Stacey Rachel is a CODA (Child(ren) of Projects. They work directly groups and individuals to support domain working predominately is based in the East Midlands deaf Adults) this has had a huge with children & young people, the implementation of new arts, in theatre, tv and film. She but travels across the UK ERIN SIOBHAN HUTCHING influence as to the reason why schools, and support settings to heritage and museum projects also enjoys performance providing interpretation for ROLE BSL/English Interpreter she wanted to pursue interpreting understand what is deemed most and programmes. interpreting for integrated theatre productions, festivals and events. and become an advocate for the urgent today. They create the productions, poetry events and Stacey is also a member of the Erin Siobhan Hutching is a deaf community enable them to A journey of creativity is rarely festivals. Working collaboratively qualified BSL/English Interpreter, time and space for meaningful without struggles, dedication, THEATRESIGN team. find their creative passions. discussion, encouraging the in a creative, open and welcoming Actor and Creative Producer. uncertainty, and enjoyment; Kate space is her happy place. After performing for many years sharing of ideas, opinions, fears, works with empathy to reflect and being inspired by her close and aspirations. on, challenge and understand relationship with her deaf sister, Their approaches are fresh, perspectives to identify need, Erin wrote a play called People of meaningful, and inclusive so that provide professional support the Eye which successfully toured we can really hear, and respond to and achieve project outcomes. the UK including the Edinburgh what is being said. They respect Kate’s background is in teaching, Fringe Festival. This immersion in the opinions of children & young community engagement, and the Deaf theatre world led to her people and work in partnership designing arts and museums deciding to gain her level 6 BSL with others who share their learning, well-being and and Interpreter qualifications. interests, and their ethos, to access projects for arts centres, inspire, encourage and guide. museums, galleries, and heritage Working on projects for Tesla, sites. Mars Incorporated, X Factor.

NIKKI HARRIS ROLE BSL/English Interpreter Nikki Harris has been a BSL interpreter for 24 years, that primarily now works in the arts THE FUTURE Presented in bars, studio theatres and rural touring spaces reflecting the lives of black audiences,giving insight to less diverse communities. Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to watch the film, we would very appreciate your feedback. At this stage we are looking to grow and develop the bar and welcome more investors and customers. Some of our ideas for growth are: 1. A live performance experience indoors or outdoors with a live jazz band (covid permitting). We are currently looking for project partners. 2. A national engagement project for young people including a revised version of the film alongside complimentary workshops, interactive digital media material with the goal of young people creating their own Paradise Bar characters based on stories personal to them. The engagement programme is called The Members Lounge. 3. Developing a stand alone film with project partners. 4. Continuing to reach out and engage audiences and participants from a range of backgrounds in terms of culture, race and ability.

Please contact us to share your feedback or discuss ideas: [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you. A special thank you to our supporters: