Tell Dem – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we discuss whether the British theatre scene is overly literary and how this focus affects the development of global forms of storytelling in the UK. Filled with epic insights from guests Vinay Patel and Izzy Rabey; you don’t want to miss this one. 

We kick-off the new season with Tamasha’s Artistic Director, Pooja Ghai, and legendary director and maker Dermot Daly. Join us as we unpack the meanings and implications of decolonial practices in theatre, explore whether Global Majority artists have the spaces to dream and develop, highlight exemplary practices in the industry, and discuss the importance of setting boundaries to protect creative spaces. 

Episode Four features performance artist & producer Louisa Robbin, poet & performer Jeremiah ‘SugarJ’ Brown, and writer-performer Rumi Woolf. They discuss why and how trauma is central to their work, what they do to practice self-care as a performer, implicating audiences in intimate spaces and a demonic Peppa Pig.  

Episode Three features multidisciplinary artist Jacob V Joyce and actor & co-founder of Blacktress UK Cherrelle Skeete. They discuss star signs, whether work by LGBTQIA+ folk is inherently activist, the language around HIV, protecting safe spaces for QTIPOC, and the differences between performance art created by white and Black & brown artists.  

On Episode Two is theatre and film producer Tuyet Van Huynh, and PhD researcher & Goldsmiths associate lecturer Miranda Armstrong. They talk about authentic representation within arts and media, democratising access to academia and the stigma around single parenthood.  

Episode One features presenter and producer Scully, and theatre director Balisha Karra. They talk class within the arts, social mobility, who gets to be a 'critic', and how to get a games console for £8. 

Join host Tobi Kyeremateng for Season 1 of Tell Dem, where global majority movers and shakers reflect and critique work that lies across our cultural spectrum, using it to unpack connected, contemporary issues and dissect the affairs rooted in our respective cultures. Here's a teaser of what you have to look forward to in Season 1...

Hosted by Tamasha and supported by Transmission Roundhouse. Music by @PrinceLatir

Welcome to a very special Season Three of TELL DEM – the podcast from Tamasha by Global Majority artists and practitioners.  Following the success of two incredible seasons, we are back with two new hosts, directors Gitika Buttoo (she/her) and Beth Kapila (she/her) who will dig deep into Tamasha's ground-breaking intervention dedicated to decolonial practices in theatre: SHIFT.   Lock in to TELL DEM for inspiring stories, candid discussions, and a front-row seat to the dreaming of a decolonial theatre industry. We'll explore how international, and non-Eurocentric voices and innovative approaches and forms are transforming the training and creation of theatre. Join us for bold and honest conversations about the industry's most challenging topics, as we spotlight the perspectives and achievements of makers of Global Majority heritage, celebrate their creative brilliance and discover how they're revolutionising theatre. Take your seat, get comfy and listen now. 

Publishing powerhouse and managing director of Dialogue Books, Sharmaine Lovegrove, presents episode 6 - The War on Woke. Alongside guests Chino Odimba (writer and Artistic Director of Tiata Fahodzi) and Melz Owusu (artist, activist, academic and founder of the Free Black University), they discuss Wokeness, cancel culture, and its impact on theatre, arts and culture - all in 50 minutes! They take a special look at Zodwa Nyoni’s hit play The Darkest Part of the Night, and Ayishat Akanbi's compelling video - "The Problem with Cancel Culture”. 

For Episode Five we take an in-depth and personal look at the current representations that are widely seen and accepted in the Media today about the Religion of Islam and those who are Muslim. Writer and broadcaster, Yassmin Abdel-Magied hosts and is joined by Joint CEO of Shubbak, Alia Alzougbi, and writer and filmmaker, Elias Suhail. They delve into the complexities of misrepresentation before further exploring the text, Muslim and the Media by Hilary E.Khan.