After a fantastic first Fringe, Block’d Off is heading to London with its hard-hitting one-woman play, revealing the realities of being working class in London. Following the lives of five characters caught in the cycle of deprivation, Block’d Off shares a collection of honest stories that confront and question the stereotypes of working-class voices. As a recipient of the Pleasance Theatre’s Generate Fund for UK-based Black, Asian and Global Majority Artists, the production will provide London audiences with an opportunity to engage with these real experiences first hand.
Set in a block of North London council flats, Block’d Off considers how working-class people can be seen as nameless and only defined by their titles or jobs. It is an eternal story about the human condition, bringing these individuals to life in a truthful retelling of how these universal struggles connect communities. This one-woman show stars Camila Segal, who multi-roles a plethora of characters, jumping from personalities like a lonely Brazilian grandmother to a sensitive middle-class tutor.
Writer Kieton Saunders-Browne, a previous participant of Young Pleasance who this year celebrated their 25th anniversary, comments, The play is written for everyone, for the working class to see themselves more on stage and to give everyone the chance to hear these people you may never have crossed paths with. Being an artist, I am in a lot of middle-class spaces and environments and I think it’s important for anyone who does consider themselves an ‘ally’, whatever that means, to be able to hear about these experiences as first hand as possible and not just know about it from media that is controlled and written by those who aren’t from that background.
Previous praise for Block’d Off:
Saunders-Browne’s play makes some excellent points about how poverty and hopelessness create a scarcity mentality that means daily living is hard… this piece shows real promise and a committed sense of injustice.
(Stagedoor, Lyn Gardner)
Block’d Off fights fire with fire – a bombastic, defiant show which serves a platter of discontent in light of an indifferent, harsh world that tells you that you should be doing better. It shines a light on the systemic circumstances that keep people on the hamster wheel of poverty. This is the kind of theatre that changes things
(Binge Fringe, Jake Mace)
The production will also be coming to Camden People’s Theatre on Tuesday 8th November – Saturday 19th November for a tremendous two week run.
The Generate Fund is supported by the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve.
Notes to Editors
Title Block’d Off
Performance Dates Monday 3rd October, 20:30
Wednesday 5th October, 20:30
Thursday 6th October, 19:00
Friday 7th October 2022, 20:30
Running Time 60 minutes
Location Downstairs – Pleasance London, Carpenters Mews, North Rd, London, N7 9EF
How to get there: The nearest underground station is Caledonian Road (Piccadilly Line)
Turn left out the station and then take the first left up North Road. The theatre is then 100m up on your left.
The nearest rail is Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Richmond (North Woolwich Overground) The theatre is a 10-15 minute walk north up Caledonian Road from the station.
Cast Camila Segal
Alissia Di Cosmo
Sam Harry Macgregor
Writer/Director Kieton Saunders-Browne
Producer Jake Curran-Pipe
Sound Designer Elliot Popeau-George
Lighting Designer Kevin Murphy
Stage Manager Charlie Goldhawk
Production Assistant Alice Sufferin
Box Office Tickets are available from www.pleasance.co.uk.
Age Guidance Ages 12+, contains violence, swearing and mentions of sex
Social media @blockdoffplay, @arrowwooden, @elgordotheatreco, @thepleasance
All enquiries, high res images and further information:
Phoebe Carlisle, Chloé Nelkin Consulting
E: phoebe@chloenelkinconsulting.com, M: 07581619619
