This is Not a Drill
Set in the dystopian near future, where young black men are ‘disappeared’ from the endz and detained in state-sponsored re-programming centres, This is Not a Drill takes a look at the demonisation of drill music and asks: can music truly be blamed for violence on our streets?
Following our successful grant application, This is Not a Drill underwent an R&D project involving a week of workshops with young drill musicians to develop the script followed by a week of rehearsals and two scratch performances.
This project was supported by The Albany, Canada Water Theatre and the New Diorama Theatre, as well as Index on Censorship. We are also the grateful recipient of a National Lottery funded grant from Arts Council England.
See below for a short video from our R&D at Canada Water Theatre and some pictures from our dress rehearsal at Deptford’s The Albany.
This is Not a Drill
Image: Kwame Lestrade
Writer ~ Jeremiah Towolawi
Jeremiah Towolawi is a British-Nigerian writer and director. He has been engaged in making short films and documentaries as a writer, director and editor. Jeremiah met Orísun’s founder, Shereener when he cast her in his short, Kill Jill. Since then Jeremiah has gone on to make a number of other short films including Missed produced by Fully Focussed Productions. He made his theatre debut as a director in Orísun’s inaugural show, Spring. This is his first full length play.
Below are images from the rehearsal for a script-in-hand-performance of This is Not A Drill, directed by Stella Odunlami. The play was a finalist in the Underbelly Untapped Award 2020. We are currently applying for funding to further research and develop this important piece of work.
