Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to Brighton.
I moved to Brighton as a teenager and have lived here for most of my life, so it’s very much home. I’m currently a doctoral candidate in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities at the University of Sussex, where my research explores Race, Culture and Desire: Exploring the impacts of colonial discourses on the desires of Black women in contemporary Britain. Across both my academic work and community practice, I’m interested in the relationship between theory and lived experience—how the ideas we inherit shape the realities we live every day.
Alongside my research, I founded BLK BRIGHTON Collective, a non-profit community resource that creates spaces for connection, culture and support for Black communities in Brighton & Hove. Community-building has always been at the heart of what I do, which is why this role feels like such a natural fit.
What drew you to becoming involved in Touring Together and, this first year, on Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?
I’ve always believed in the power of arts and culture to bring people together. Theatre and storytelling have the ability to spark conversations, build empathy and help us see the world and each other from different perspectives. They’re accessible tools for creating community and connection.
What drew me to Touring Together is its commitment to making theatre more inclusive and ensuring that audiences reflect the diversity of the communities around them. Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is exactly the kind of production that opens up opportunities for meaningful engagement, both inside and outside the theatre.
What excites you most about bringing this production to audiences in Brighton?
I’m excited to help create opportunities for people who may not usually see themselves represented on stage or feel that theatre is a space for them. Representation matters, but representation alone isn’t enough. It needs to be accompanied by genuinely welcoming, accessible and inclusive spaces where people feel they belong.
I’m looking forward to working with local communities to make sure attending the production feels like an invitation rather than a barrier, and that audiences leave feeling connected—not only to the story but to each other.
What makes your local community unique, and what stories or conversations do you think are important here right now?
Brighton is known for being a creative, diverse and progressive city, and that’s something I really value. It’s a place where people are often open to new ideas and different perspectives.
At the same time, conversations around identity, belonging and inclusion are becoming increasingly important, both locally and nationally. I think there is a real opportunity to explore how we create communities where diversity isn’t just celebrated in principle but reflected in who feels welcomed, represented and able to participate in our cultural spaces. Those conversations feel especially relevant right now.
What would you say to someone who doesn’t usually go to the theatre about why they should come and experience Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?
Come with an open mind. Theatre is one of the few places where we can pause, listen and experience someone else’s story together. You don’t need to know anything about theatre to enjoy it - you just need to be curious. Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is an opportunity to experience the power of storytelling, reflect on different perspectives and perhaps leave seeing the world a little differently than when you arrived.
Favourite local place
One of my favourite places in Brighton is Hove Lawns. There’s something really calming about being by the sea, and it’s a place I often go to slow down, think and reconnect. Even though Brighton is a busy city, Hove Lawns always feels like a little pocket of peace.
A local recommendation
If you’re visiting Brighton, I’d definitely recommend taking some time to explore the city’s landmarks. A walk along the seafront, a visit to the Pier and the Royal Pavilion, and spending some time in the North Laine all give you a great sense of what makes Brighton unique. Whether you’re here for the show or making a day of it, there’s plenty to experience before or after your visit to the theatre.
