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Women Speak Volumes: Paulette Randall in Conversation

Wednesday 19 February

Throwing the spotlight on the work of pioneering black women in the arts in Britain whose stories need to be told.

 

Most of us remember London’s 2012 Olympic opening ceremony for its gloriously creative celebration of Britain’s multicultural history, but few know that working alongside acclaimed director and producer Danny Boyle on that event was a pioneering black female Associate Director.

Theatre, film and television director Paulette Randall was born in Jamaica and grew up in south London. Working in Brixton market from an early age inspired her love of theatre through the characters she met and the stories she heard. She attended the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama and subsequently set up the Theatre of Black Women with two fellow students, Bernardine Evaristo and Patricia Hilaire, in response to the lack of roles for black actors. Since then, Paulette has continued to break down barriers, from producing iconic TV comedies Desmond’s and The Real McCoy in the 1980s-90s to being the first black female director to bring a production to London’s West End (August Wilson’s play Fences in 2013). As well as a long career in theatre and working on the Olympic opening ceremony, more recent TV work includes directing Coronation Street and Death in Paradise. For her work, Paulette has received an MBE (2015) among her numerous awards.

Come and hear about the life and work of this ground-breaking woman who has opened up the world of directing and producing to generations of younger people through her innovative approach. Paulette will be in conversation with literary activist and creative entrepreneur Joy Francis, co-founder of Words of Colour.

This is the first of seven conversations running from 19 February to 14 May which will throw the spotlight on the work of pioneering creative older black women whose stories need to be shared.

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