Kwame Kwei-Armah

“I saw young people of all backgrounds and cultures use this poetic and sometimes difficult language almost as if it were a new fangled street slang, fresh and exclusive to them. It was thrilling beyond words. I only hope that every young person finds a way to tap into this, because I believe that, like me, they will never forget the experience.” Kwame Kwei-Armah on the Shakespeare Schools Festival

As an actor Kwame is best known for his role as the paramedic Findley Newton in the series Casualty, but won the hearts of the nation with his singing skills in Comic Relief does Celebrity Fame Academy. Kwame was writer in residence at the Bristol Old Vic, 1999-2001 in which they produced his drama ‘A Bitter Herb’ (awarded a Peggy Ramsey Bursary). They produced two productions of his musical ‘Blues Brother Soul Sister’ before it embarked on a commercial national tour, and The Belgrade Coventry produced his adaptation of Cyrano De Bergerac simply entitled ‘ Big Nose’. The National Theatre produced in the Cottesloe his critically acclaimed ‘Elmina’s Kitchen’ for which Kwame won The Evening Standards ‘Charles Wintor Award’ for most promising Playwright’ and was nominated for a Laurence Olivier award; Best New Play 2003.