Date & Time
Show ended
About DAWTA
A 65 minute solo musical written, produced and performed by Dionne Draper. Musical underscore developed with cellist Emily Burridge and keyboard player Anders Olinder. Script development supported by Bristol Old Vic’s Ferment Fortnight and Literary Associate James Peries, direction Hanna Lune. DAWTA (Jamaican Patwa for Daughter) was staged for 6 performances in 2019, selling out Bristol Old Vic, Malcolm X Centre, Wickham Theatre, and the Black Cultural Archives,London. Funded by Arts Council, Strike A Light Festival with support from Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall and Salisbury Arts Centre. The 1950’s and 60’s saw a rise of adoptions in the UK, continuing into the 70’s. Poverty, shame, race and gender inequality meant that adoption was the choice facing some women. Social services came wards for the growing number of ‘relinquished’ children of African descent. These children were adopted, fostered or remained in the care system. Almost all were placed with White families. Dionne was one of these children. DAWTA is Dionne’s first semi-autobiographical musical playing 7 characters and singing 10 original songs to tell of Sarah’s quest for belonging.