THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE and Carol Leeming MBE and Dare to Diva Company Leicester present
The Dreadful Dance of Ms Iniquity
17 MAR | 7.30PM
Created & Directed by Carol Leeming MBE FRSA
Choreography & Sound Design Carol Leeming
Programmer/Sound Engineer Aron Hira (Clarence Street Studios Leicester)
Digital Visuals Design Carol Leeming & Nik Gohil
Original Stage Photography Hana Kovacs
Dread: causing awful terror, horrific, strong feelings of worry, anxiety or differently feelings of awe, of being greatly regarded Who will ask, who will call?
A solo performance, an exploration, using word, sound, music, physical theatre and still digital visuals, to create a liminal space, to explore a little known in reality, a single act of egregious immensity. Will the Cycle Be Unbroken? This choreopoem play, The Dreadful Dance of Ms. Iniquity, inspired by the violent death of George Floyd, #BLM Black Lives Global Movement and written during the Covid 19 Lockdown. It is presented on the 5th year anniversary in 2025 of these tragic and momentous events.
It explores a real historical single egregious act of an individual. However, this is presented onstage, using a fictional Black woman character Ms. Iniquity and dramatic narrative. In order to be able to explore, some of the important issues raised by a single person’s act. The act is framed as a betrayal of Black people and their ancestors.
Due to this individual character being positioned, at an important historical, pivotal political moment. With power and the potential to break a historical negative cycle. Enacted on stage by a fictional Black British woman Ms. Iniquity, on behalf of powerful interests. Whose terrible betrayal of her own African ancestors, continues a toxic legacy. Interlocutors, include, the Black Voice of Rage, Prosecutor, Witness, and Rescuer.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Duration: 75 min with 30 min Q&A with Carol and Anni Domingo
Interval: 20 min
Content Warnings: Swearing Jamaican Patwa, themes of violence, African Holocaust Transatlantic Chattel Slavery
Accessibility: wheelchair free access
Recommended for 16+
Tickets (Unreserved)
General Admission £18
Senior Concession £14
Unemployed | Under 30 | Student £10
Access for All £14 (reserved)
Access for All Note: Please contact boxoffice@theplaygroundtheatre.org.uk for your complementary ticket for a career/companion/friend
This event is part of the Women's Voices Festival. Festival passes are available to see all events.
'It was terrifyingly beautiful, solemn, majestic and edifying' Ray Shell Writer /Director/Producer & Associate Artists for The Playground Theatre London
'Last night I had the immense honour to witness the inaugural performance of Carol Leeming's, deeply moving and breathtaking -The Dreadful Dance of Ms Iniquity; the imaginary trial of a fictional black woman who has betrayed her lineage. Carol staged a tour de force, totally absorbed into her characters, she took the audience on a rollercoaster ride of despair, rebellion and finally hope. She bore the magnitude of the struggles of the ancestors; personified the injustices at the heart of the Windrush scandal, the Black Lives Matter movement and the Grenfell atrocity; and in doing so, shone like a spiritual beacon for young poets and actors to follow in her wake'.
Floyd Wilson Audience Member
'The Dreadful Dance of Ms Iniquity was provoking, challenging and moving in equal measure. It's layering of texts, historical and cultural references and movement created a piece that made you want to work to connect with its messages, delving you into your own personal journey with it before bringing the audience back together in a collective dance at the end.'
Kay Hardiman Director of Creative Programmes Curve Theatre Leicester