Hercules Productions International: Different Perspectives
'You walk down your road, and let me walk down mine.’
The story of a beautiful yet challenging relationship between a Jamaican father and his son Wayne as they battle to overcome their differences.
Pops has brought up Wayne on his own since the tragic death of his wife in childbirth. All his dreams lie in Wayne’s hands and he wills his son to live a life that is true and good; upholding family values, respecting traditions and behaving in a certain way.
Wayne has just left college. He is at the stage in his life where he is getting to find out who he is, what he wants to do, and how he can get there. He respects and loves his father, yet even with a positive outlook, he is challenged by the pressures put on him by old friends who expect Wayne to be loyal to their dreams, and do whatever it takes to succeed, to make money and gain respect from their peers. This life means taking risks, living on the edge, telling lies, and worst of all hurting others.
Different Perspectives by Hercules Productions International at PANDA-monium 2007. Photo by Stacey Potter.
Different Perspectives shows the inner struggle of a young man with the world at his fingertips who is seduced by a life of crime and forced to decide which path to take.
Through a plot that twists and turns using film, live action and sound, the audience are taken on a journey that will keep them on the edge of their seats; witnessing a battle of wills collide under the pressure of life changing choices.
Inspired by the personal experiences of the diverse range of artists involved in the development of Different Perspectives, the story unpicks some home truths about the struggles of cultural and family politics living as a second generation Jamaican in England today.
Different Perspectives deals with the challenges many young men face living life on the streets; getting involved with drugs, violence, gun crime, and a different culture than the family. Hercules Productions International give us a taste of some harsh realities existing on our doorsteps.
Biographies
Marcus Hercules – Writer and performer
Marcus Hercules is an enthusiastic actor, director, writer and workshop leader with professional experience of theatre, television and film. As an actor Marcus has performed for Contact Theatre, Talawa, the Tricycle, Nottingham Arts, Manchester Library Theatre, the Lowry and Reading theatres. TV credits include Brookside, Holby City, Casualty and the Bill. He has been assistant director to Will Powers and also to Jatinder Verma, (Artistic Director of Tara Arts) on his production of 'Journey to the West'. Following this he directed Contact Young Actors Company in 'Minority Report' a new play by Leah Chillery. He then wrote the script for 'Children of a Revolution'; 'Carry Mi Acke' and his one person show 'Different Perspectives'.
Benji Reid – Director
Benji has over 20 years experience directing innovative new work in theatre. Benji has worked widely with such highly regarded companies as the David Glass Ensemble, Trestle Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and Black Mime Theatre. He has recently set up his own new company called Breaking Cycles that will produce hip hop theatre.
Naomi Dawson – Designer
Trained at Wimbledon School of Art and at the Kunstacadamie, Maastricht. Theatre credits include ‘Phaedra’s Love’ (Barbican Pit and Bristol Old Vic) ‘Stallerhof’ (Southwark Playhouse) ‘Pray for the Souls of Martha and Veronica’ (Komedia), ‘Attempts on her Life’ (BAC) ‘Venezuela’, ‘Mud’, ‘Trash’, ‘Headstone’, ‘Kismet’, ‘Yuva’ (Arcola) ‘Pass the Parcel’ (Theatre Royal, Stratford) ‘Jus’ a Little Simply Heavenly’, ‘Forest of Thorns’ (Young Vic Studio) ‘Heart of Everything’, (Pleasance, London). Film credits: Costume design for short film ‘Love After a Fashion’.
Jason Singh – Composer
Jason Singh is an international Beatboxer, percussionist, DJ, composer and workshop facilitator. He has collaborated with a variety of artists including Nitin Sawhney and also features on his 2005 album, Philtre. He has also produced and presented a number of specialist music radio shows and composed music for productions at the Contact Theatre including Sevenesque and CYAC.
Steve Bryan – Lighting Designer
Steve Bryan is an experienced Technical Manger having worked for The Nia Centre, Black Arts Alliance and most recently Zion Arts. He has also tutored for Production Technique at City College and works as a freelancer on various projects. As a lighting designer past projects include Mary Seacole‚ at Bridgewater, Black Heroes in The Hall of Fame‚ and 'Nzi Dada Rictual Imaginaire Outdoor Show'.
Gino Evans – Visual artist and Director
Gino Evans specialises in merging film with live performance and is a former artist in residence at Contact Theatre. In 2004 he received an award at Studio Salford for his one person multi-media show “TRAMPMAN”. Since then he has been involved with numerous projects including visuals for “Wife Clone” and “Break”. In the summer 2007 he was assistant director for the Running to Paradise production of “Venus” at Manchester International Festival. Currently Gino is working on his new production “Myasthenia Gravis” a chaotic and surreal mixture of video and live performance which opens April 2008 at Contact Theatre.