Rachel De-lahay

Edited and introduced by leading cultural and theatre critic Aleks Sierz, this bold and urgent collection of contemporary plays by England's newest and most relevant young writers explores the various cultures and identities of a nation that is at once traditional, nationalistic and multicultural. Eden's Empire, by James Graham is an uncompromising political thriller exploring the events of the Suez Crisis, and the tragic story of its flawed hero – Churchill's golden boy and heir apparent, Anthony Eden. Alaska, by D. C. Moore features Frank, an ordinary bloke who likes smoking, history and playing House of the Dead 3. He can put up with his job on a cinema kiosk until a new supervisor arrives who is younger than him. And Asian. A Day at the Racists, by Anders Lustgarten is a timely examination of the rise of the BNP which attempts to understand why people might be drawn to the BNP and diagnoses the deeper cause of that attraction. Shades, by Alia Bano shows Sabrina, a single girl-about-town, who is seeking Mr Right in a world where traditional and liberal values sit side-by-side, but rarely see eye-to-eye. The Westbridge, by Rachel De-lahay begins with the accusation of a black teenager which sparks riots on South London streets. Among it all, a couple from very different backgrounds navigate the minefield between them and their disparate but coexisting neighbourhood.

–So where you going? And isn’t it a little past your bedtime?–Coming from you?–This ain't no open top tourist thing you know? It’s the 11. Circling the outskirts of Birmingham on the Number 11 bus, two teenagers develop an unlikely friendship. Meanwhile a mother observes her daughter's attempt to leave a violent relationship. Against the backdrop of a changing city everyone involved is forced to re-examine what they thought they knew about love, trust, family and friendship. Rachel’s De-lahay’s vivid and powerful new play boldly explores cycles of violence and what it takes to break them, examining the effects of such violence on a generation of young women. Circles received its world premiere at the Birmingham Rep on 9 May 2014.

Anka got in and is here for good. Olufemi is being coached to break back in. Bashir has been here forever but he’s just been sent to limbo. Lisa wants to send them all home. Welcome to England. A journey into to the heart of what it is to be a citizen, and finding a place where you belong. A cutting new play about immigration and exile, and what happens when people fall through the cracks, Routes opens up the borders of friendship and family.

'Everyone lived perfectly happily round here together before you young ones try to integrate and confuse things.'The accusation of a Black teenager sparks disturbance on the South London streets. While tensions rise and local rioting starts, a couple from very different backgrounds navigate the minefield between them, their families and their disparate but coexisting neighbourhood. Joint winner of the 2011 Alfred Fagon award (under its former title SW11), The Westbridge showcases an array of multiple voices. Presenting a microcosm of multicultural society, this depiction of London's melting-pot spans ethnicities, religions, generations and outlooks. A very real, convincing drama of human individuals underpins this ambitious, far-reaching and relevant play. Picking apart an intricate tangle of cultures, religions and generations, The Westbridge showcases an array of voices from modern society with humour, style and bite.