“DEAR DIARY…DARE WE BE BRAVE?” “Our Story Starts At The Turn Of The Century, We’re Talking About The Year Of 2020. A Pandemic Swept Across The World And Not Just The Nation, It Baffled All The Doctors In The Science Profession. But, Although Covid-19 Is Notorious, This Story Is Actually About…US!”

Kema Sikazwe on battling racism and bullies to become an actor in I, Daniel Blake Sikazwe moved to Newcastle when he was three years old with his brother and parents. Supported by his uncle, Ronald Penza, Zambia’s then minister of finance, the idea was for his father to study and for the family to move back to Zambia once his education was complete. “The show is very much my story,” he says, “from being born in Zambia to coming to Newcastle, and the struggles I found here. There weren’t a lot of black kids around where I grew up, and I had to deal with a lot of racism. Then when I got older I was asked why I spoke so white. I started to find out who I really was through doing theatre. I was always shy when I was growing up, but I believe in who I am now, and I accept who I am. Part of the reason for doing the show is to take it out there to people who might be like I was, and to inspire them to be themselves.”

aA - allergy Aware With the use of props, puppets, speech, song, conversation and logic, the characters can open up the conversation to the children through humour and play. The play conveys the importance of allergies without dumbing down the subject matter, but also not frightening the children with horror stories. The play is tailored towards all food allergies and how they can affect us in different ways. 15 different food allergies It looks at the different types of reaction you might get and how these can vary from person to person. It talks about the eight most common food allergies. Talks about keeping safe, why we must not share our food with others that may have an allergy - why that is important? What symptoms to look out for. Why it’s important to tell people you have an allergy and if you see someone with those symptoms it’s best to alert an adult. It covers Adrenaline or Epi-Pens, what are they, how do they work? ​ The overall message, and one that children will remember, be AWARE of the SYMPTOMS and ASK someone for help, PHONE a doctor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – A.S.A.P

Despite the prediction of three months to live from the doctors, Shirley survived beyond this time-frame...STUPID WIG tells the true emotions of a young child facing cancer and the side-effects of treatment.  ​ As well as coping with her illness, Shirley began to lose her hair, and having to wear a wig proved to be a difficult experience for her.  Over the months of her treatment Shirley became rather sick of having to wear the titular ‘Stupid Wig’, and it was during a school visit from the' nit nurse', she boldly discarded the wig before her school friend and peers. ​ Stupid Wig explores the deeper effects of childhood cancer, such as those on the family of the child, who are a hug support through many troubles living with the disease.  ​ Stupid Wig explores all emotions felt at a time like this – anger, misery, fear, anxiousness but also the sense of strength and understanding within the family and friends unit. Learning to cope with her illness and anxieties, Shirley believed in three simple principles: just be kind, try to understand, and try to not be afraid as strength is important. It is very difficult for all affected parties to not be scared at such a time