The Letter: To Be Or To MBE
Assembly, George Square, The Box
Jonzi D, the UK’s best known exponent of Hip Hop theatre, presents his acclaimed solo show The Letter. This true and topical tale of one man’s dilemma regarding a proposed MBE honour is told via Jonzi’s sharp and often hilarious portrayal of his friends, colleagues and family.
Showcasing his signature verbal and physical skills, Jonzi D utilises movement, political observation and humour to explore the concept and prospect of this unexpected accolade. As an authentic East Londoner of Afro-Caribbean descent, his own feelings are as diverse as the various characters he brings to the stage.
The MBE letter requires a response and just to complicate matters, everyone has an opinion. From the impressionable, husband-seeking house guest to the East London rhyme-spitting weed dealer, Jonzi is confronted by opposing views and gut reactions. His childhood neighbour thinks one thing, a militant friend uncomfortable with an Empire-related honour another. Should Jonzi be swayed and what does an MBE represent anyway? What will his esteemed supporters in the arts think if he rejects it? More to the point, what will his family say? Whilst his eldest sister might not reside in Buckingham Palace she does after all, reign supreme within Jonzi’s family.
Colourful & warm yet outspoken and at times subversive, The Letter paints a highly personal picture of the ultimate predicament: To be or to MBE?
Jonzi D is a renowned MC, performer, choreographer and director. He’s been actively involved in British Hip Hop culture and performance since the 1980s and is artistic director of Breakin’ Convention, Sadler’s Wells’s international festival of Hip Hop dance. Breakin’ Convention has been a runaway success since starting in 2004, travelling as far afield as Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre. Jonzi’s own devised work includes Aeroplane Man, Tag and Markus The Sadist. The Letter successfully toured the UK in 2013-14.
As an MC and poet, Jonzi has worked with The Roots, Steve Williamson and Lenny Henry and toured with Gangstarr. He has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Channel 4’s Faking It and his pieces Silence da Bitchin’ and Aeroplane Man have been screened by Channel 4. Recently Jonzi presented his inaugural Ted Talk: Recognition Without Permission. Jonzi D is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist.
“This is a great piece of theatre about the struggle of keeping it real. There is nothing like it. Check it. Jonzi is brilliant. I hate him”. Benjamin Zephaniah
“The name Jonzi D shouts respect in circles of hip hop dance theatre” The Independent
“Treads a fine and funny balance between personal and political' The Guardian on The Letter
Web: assemblyfestival.com Twitter: @jonzid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonzid
Venue: Assembly George Square Theatre, Box, EH8 9JZ
Time: 18.10 Running Time: 50 minutes
Dates: 5 – 31 August. No shows August 12 and 24
Tickets: August £6 (August 5,6,7) £10 Mondays £12 All other dates. 2 for one tickets available on August 10, 11.
Bookings: assemblyfestival.com, 0131 623 3030 or Assembly box offices at Assembly Hall and Assembly Roxy, Assembly George Square and Assembly Checkpoint
Post provided by Anna Goodman from Abstrakt Publicity.
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