In December 2017 and 2018, tiata fahodzi visited primary schools in Peckham, Stockwell and Watford, asking 4 year olds what Christmas, difference and race means to them as part of research and development for our Christmas show for contemporary Britain, diverse christmas.
“stories have to be about white people” (a year two student, in Darren Chetty’s You can’t do that! Stories have to be about White People)
Christmas is so often a child’s very first experience of the theatre – families may only attend their local theatre once a year to see the panto (booked a year in advance) or children may experience theatre for the very first time during a school trip to see a Christmas show. For many, their first experience in our buildings watching theatre is one that excludes them. It seems so ridiculous that, even in the most accessible moment in a venue’s calendar, theatres still fail to see so many of us – either leaving us out of the festive narrative altogether, limiting us to playing a supportive role or – when we are present – ignoring the specificity of our identity. diverse christmas will be a traditional Christmas show centred around – and led by – characters of colour. But that’s all we know right now. We asked questions and listened to over 150 school children over 28 sessions over three weeks.
Done in partnership with the Young Vic Taking Part department.
