Cardboard Citizens Presents More Than One Story Live at Trafalgar Theatre Review
Written by Becky K for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
“Because art is for everyone…not just the few.”
Cardboard Citizens launch ‘More Than One Story’, an anthology of monologues on homelessness and poverty at Trafalgar Theatre. The evening, hosted by Rory Kinnear and Shahab Awad, consisted of readings and performances of extracts from the book, highlighting the stories of those with lived experiences of homelessness and poverty.
If you’re unfamiliar with Cardboard Citizens, they are a fantastic organisation that have been using the power of theatre and storytelling for more than 30 years to drive social change, working directly with people who have lived experiences to create art and challenge the public narratives around homelessness and poverty. Having produced workshops, films and theatre productions, More Than One Story is its first anthology, consisting of 37 pieces from emerging and established writers.
With more than 20 performers taking turns on stage to read these extracts, including the likes of Paterson Joseph, Arthur Darvill and Laura Checkley, the evening was a unifying celebration of these writer’s stories. The energy of the performers, audience and Cardboard Citizens members brought resilience, anger, hope, pain and sprinkles of humour throughout. A mixture of prose and poetry, the stories ranged from sofa-surfing, council housing applications, disability support, public perceptions of homelessness and more. From Malorie Blackman’s ‘Ladies Who Lunch’, which brutally interrogates public perceptions and discomfort around begging, to Jordan Grant’s ‘Man. Up’, which hauntingly explores dispossession and the greediness of investors, More Than One Story is an enlightening read for anyone who does not share these experiences.
With less than 10% of people working in the creative industries coming from a lower socio-economic background, Cardboard Citizens’ mission feels even more urgent. To platform these voices in the West End felt special, and reinforces why more should be done to make art accessible for all.
To purchase More Than One Story, which is out on 13th November, visit nickhernbooks.co.uk. To support Cardboard Citizen’s work, follow them on social media or visit their website at cardboardcitizens.org.uk
