Activity: Short talk
Topics: Drama, film
Date: Tuesday 21st November 2023
Time: 6.00 PM – 7.00 PM
Venue: Moray House Trust
Michael Abbensetts was born in New Amsterdam, Guyana on 8th June 1938. He migrated to Canada, then to the UK in the 1960s, where he became a successful playwright and screenwriter. His first play, Sweet Talk played at the Royal Court in 1973, earning him recognition in the theatre world. His work was fresh and spoke to theatregoers’ curiosities about black people being in Britain during this period. The TV drama series, Empire Road, for which he is most remembered, ran on BBC2 from 1978-79. It was the first of its kind, featuring an all-black cast and exploring themes of identity, belonging and discrimination in a multi-racial society.
To mark the 7th anniversary of his passing in November 2016, there was an introduction to his work by Dr Michelle Asantewa, the screening of an extract from one of his plays and an informal discussion.
This was a live event at Moray House Trust
Title: Remembering Playwright Michael John Abbensetts
Date: Tuesday 21st November 2023
Time: 6.00 PM – 7.00 PM
Venue: Moray House Trust
