TAMSIN KAYEMBE Lyricist-in-Residence
A respected Poet/MC, Tamsin (23) grew up in Deptford. She joined Second
Wave when she was 13, and became an Arts Apprentice in 2006. She wrote
and performed in Second Wave’s production What Does
it Take at the Albany Theatre, and joined the writing
team for Swagga in 2009.
She has recently been commissioned to write a new lyrical play for
Second Wave about young women. A regular host for the Breakout
Club at The Midi Music Company, Tamsin has
contributed to research for Risin’ from the Dust – a
new film about the history of UK Grime and Garage Music by OOR Productions
in association with young people from The Midi Music Company and The
Albany. Now working on her first album, new tracks can be heard onwww.myspace.com/
muzakdarealuv.
Swagga August
2009
Envy is everywhere and the streets are cold.
Lucas’ street
team brings in the money but business partner, Jay, gets
all the swagga. So Lucas has a plan. Betray his friend, take
the business and blame someone else... ‘To reach
the top spot you gotta cross the line’
Set in South East London, SWAGGA reflects
a youthful world of posturing and dark humour. Against a visual backdrop
inspired by Richard III, comic book heroes and graphic novels, the
themes are played out to the beat of an original hip hop soundtrack
and the rhythm of street dance. Devised by a team of young writers,
MCs, actors, lyricists and dancers, SWAGGA is part of the SWAGGA
Partnership Project, a creative project aimed at tackling
the risks faced by young people at a time when gang crime and street
violence is on the increase. Created and performed by a team
of young lyricists, dancers, writers, singers and actors Photography by Martin Burton
and Sarah Ainslee. “It showed how young
people take advantage and it was realistic.” Audience member, age 15 “Swagga is
about being in control or not in control...how
in the end your decisions come down to you.”Audience member,
age 16 “A brilliant
performance”Geeta Subramaniam, Head
of Crime Reduction Service “Swagga
was incredible...a professional and well-written
piece. I was blown away with the talent
and enthusiasm of the young people involved.”
Dr Rebekah Delsol, Open Society Justice
Initiative
Associate
Director Talmud Bah has been leading the
MOVEMENT project over the past year. Talmud headed up the
script team for SWAGGA, which included Logic and Theo Williams.
Swagga previewed in August 2009 at 2Wave’s studio.
"We offer creative opportunities for young
men (16-19 years) and begin with young people’s experiences.
The high levels of gang culture have led young men to explore
safety, friendship and identity. Most young men are not
in gangs, but find themselves drawn in or become victims.
The Movement provided space for them to explore their anxieties,
support each other and find possible solutions.
“The
premise of our new play, Swagga, is about self-value,
perception and trust. Inspiration has also come from
Shakespeare’s Richard III, comic book heroes and
graphic novels. The plot looks at how older gang members
manipulate the ‘youngers’, targeting the
most vulnerable. Our programme also offers artistic challenges,
e.g. introducing Capoeira and Physical Theatre into rehearsals.”
Reaching Out
18 year old Creston joined 2Wave
when he was 13 along with his twin brother Sherdon. A member
of 2Wave’s Outreach Team,
he also supports drama workshops with young people.
Wave’s Creative
Outreach Team have been travelling to different London boroughs taking
drama workshops to Croydon, Kensingston & Chelsea, and
South Lewisham, exploring safety and relationships with the
police and young people.
The workshops are being delivered in partnership with local
Police officers, TSG4, the youth service and youth offending
teams in each borough.
Inspired by this approach, Creston
Hamilton decided to take
his research on Swagga to his college in Bromley.
"I set up a debate with the support of a tutor, Ayo
and friend, Jamar. They agreed because swagga is a big issue.
Everyone thinks it’s about looks. I wanted to show
what people think and get people talking. One girl said,‘someone
who can buy me a Benz’,
and another said, ‘it’s
about carrying yourself with respect’.
“The debate opened up people’s minds and afterwards
we saw each other as one. Everyone has their own personal
swagga – it’s about how society, and how you,
bring that out."
Download the cast & credits list here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required, which can be downloaded free here)
TALMUD
BAH Associate Director
A practitioner specialising in urban dance, hip hop and martial arts, Talmud
has worked with the creative team at Second Wave over the last ten years and
developed an innovative approach to work with marginalised young men. Joining
Second Wave at 22, Talmud has progressed within the organisation and collaborated
on many productions including What Does it Take? (Albany)
and Urban Tales (George Wood Theatre). He has also
worked for Laban Dance Centre and The Royal National Theatre and performed at
Lillian Baylis Theatre and Royal Festival Hall.
Second Wave Youth Arts,
1st Floor, The Mission,
1 Creek Road,
Deptford,
London SE8 3BT
020 8694 2444 Registered charity No.1023836
Second Wave also receives funding from: BBC Children in Need, Esmée Fairbairn
Foundation, City Parochial
Foundation,
Deptford Challenge Trust
(administered by the Capital Community Foundation),
Digital Fusion/Creative Lewisham
Agency, Metropolitan Police Service,
Safer Stronger Communities Fund,
Awards For All
