Juliet Gilkes Romero – författare

Winner of the 2020 Alfred Fagon Award. As the 19th Century dawns in London, politicians of all parties gather to abolish the slave trade once and for all.But the price of freedom turns out to be a multi-billion pound bailout for slave owners rather than those enslaved.As morality and cunning compete amongst men thirsty for power, two women navigate their way to the true seat of political influence, challenging members of parliament who dare deny them their say.In this provocative new play by Juliet Gilkes Romero, the personal collides with the political to ask, what is the right thing to do and how much must it cost?

'Seventy percent of my constituents are white, Karen. I have to be a politician, who "happens" to be black. Not a black man who "happens" to be a politician.'Karen loves politics. She's a rising star but on the eve of a general election she risks her career and reputation on a bitter and contentious fight over whether to allow short lists for black Parliamentary candidates.Deselected by her party, and betrayed by the men she loves, Karen must embark on a relentless road to power and political redemption.Provocative and raw, Upper Cut unravels the fight for diversity and black representation through today's coalition politics, the hope and rebirth of New Labour and delves into the troubled heart of a Labour party struggling under the might of Thatcher's Tory revolution. Upper Cut is inspired by true political events.

The 2009 winner of the Best Play Award at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award (Birmingham Rep and UK tour ’08), published for the first time to coincide with the author’s new play Upper Cut.“This is my War. My War for Civilization. My War for Freedom. My Life. My Race. My Place. My Honour. My Home.”Stranded in the battlefields of the Holy Land during the Great War, a battalion of West Indian volunteers fight for the Empire, the King and the Mother Land.Their long search for identity and honour falls apart as the fragile hopes of young lives, both black and white, explode and shatter as betrayal and race take their toll.At the Gates of Gaza is a highly charged, emotional and gripping look at a world in the midst of change.

'Seventy percent of my constituents are white, Karen. I have to be a politician, who "happens" to be black. Not a black man who "happens" to be a politician.'Karen loves politics. She's a rising star but on the eve of a general election she risks her career and reputation on a bitter and contentious fight over whether to allow short lists for black Parliamentary candidates.Deselected by her party, and betrayed by the men she loves, Karen must embark on a relentless road to power and political redemption.Provocative and raw, Upper Cut unravels the fight for diversity and black representation through today's coalition politics, the hope and rebirth of New Labour and delves into the troubled heart of a Labour party struggling under the might of Thatcher's Tory revolution. Upper Cut is inspired by true political events.

The 2009 winner of the Best Play Award at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award (Birmingham Rep and UK tour ’08), published for the first time to coincide with the author’s new play Upper Cut.“This is my War. My War for Civilization. My War for Freedom. My Life. My Race. My Place. My Honour. My Home.”Stranded in the battlefields of the Holy Land during the Great War, a battalion of West Indian volunteers fight for the Empire, the King and the Mother Land.Their long search for identity and honour falls apart as the fragile hopes of young lives, both black and white, explode and shatter as betrayal and race take their toll.At the Gates of Gaza is a highly charged, emotional and gripping look at a world in the midst of change.

The Mischief Festival returns this spring with a double bill of new plays exploring global questions of truth, freedom and corruption; and a very personal one-woman show.WE ARE ARRESTED: When a journalist receives a flash-drive containing critical evidence of illegal government activity, he is duty-bound to publish the story. But with the nation destabilised and divided, a sinister power is eroding the rule of law, and he soon finds himself risking everything for his profession.#WeAreArrested is the true story of a journalist’s commitment to expose the truth in the face of huge personal risks. This deeply moving play is a tribute to the bravery of journalists under threat around the globe.DAY OF THE LIVING:Ayotzinapa, Mexico, 2014. Forty-three students are forcefully disappeared. No one is brought to justice. An anarchic, musical tribute to life and the Mexican spirit with urgent, global issues at its heart.

The Mischief Festival returns this spring with a double bill of new plays exploring global questions of truth, freedom and corruption; and a very personal one-woman show. WE ARE ARRESTED: When a journalist receives a flash-drive containing critical evidence of illegal government activity, he is duty-bound to publish the story. But with the nation destabilised and divided, a sinister power is eroding the rule of law, and he soon finds himself risking everything for his profession.#WeAreArrested is the true story of a journalist’s commitment to expose the truth in the face of huge personal risks. This deeply moving play is a tribute to the bravery of journalists under threat around the globe.DAY OF THE LIVING:Ayotzinapa, Mexico, 2014. Forty-three students are forcefully disappeared. No one is brought to justice. An anarchic, musical tribute to life and the Mexican spirit with urgent, global issues at its heart.