BBC News
By Kirsty Grant
The UK loves its costume dramas.
But according to artist, writer and social commentator Akala, they re all missing something. Most of the period drama we get is usually focused on elites. Kings and queens and great men - so to speak, he tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. I want people to be be able to imagine and historicise a black experience, specifically a black working class experience, and hopefully relate to that.
Although Bridgerton was mostly praised for its racially diverse cast, it was still focused on elites.
Akala s first novel, The Dark Lady, aimed at teens and young adults, follows the story of Henry - a 15-year-old pickpocket, living in a notorious slum in Elizabethan England, around the time of Shakespeare.
BAFTA AND MOBO award-winning hip-hop artist, writer and social entrepreneur Akala officially released his first novel entitled 'The Dark Lady' last month.
Casting has been announced for the return to the stage of Theatre-Rites, the highly acclaimed children s theatre company who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. Amplifying diverse voices from a team of international collaborators, The Global Playground will premiere at the Manchester International Festival and online this July.
The cast is comprised of acclaimed dancers Jahmarley Bachelor (Everybody s Talking About Jamie, ZooNation; Mariposa: A Transgender Tragedy, Denada Dance), Annie Edwards (A Kate Prince Company; ZooNation), Kennedy Junior Muntanga (Phoenix Dance Theatre; Chotto Xenos, Akram Khan Company) and Charmene Pang (Iceland Dance Company; Isadora Now: A Triple Bill, The Barbican). They are joined by puppeteer and actor Sean Garratt (A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland; The Table, Blind Summit Theatre) and renowned percussionist Merlin Jones (Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Opera North).