2 minute read

Sun rises once again for local playwright

The critically acclaimed production of Sunny Side Up, written and performed by David Alade, is returning to Theatre Peckham.

Following on from its sold-out run at Peckham Fringe in 2022, this lyrical piece, blending drama and poetry, is transferring to the main stage for a three-week run. Based on a true story, Sunny Side Up is a coming-of-age drama set in the mind of Peckham-born David, looking at his younger self – Little D. The journey sees a young black boy go from childhood innocence through a harsh transformation into manhood, all leading up to the loss of his father, Sunny.

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Told via spoken word and featuring a host of characters, this epic, playful and heartfelt play forces us to question how society shapes the vulnerabilities and masculinity of young black boys.

David is an actor and writer who trained at the Identity School of Acting and studied drama and theatre at Anglia Ruskin University. While there he wrote, starred in and directed his first play Fox Hunting, which was performed at the Courtyard Theatre. He later featured in the West End production of The Fishermen and his screen credits include Documentary Now! and Casualty. He was recently invited by Trix Worrell –creator of Channel 4 sitcom Desmond’s – to join his Distant Voices production company and is working on an exciting project with them.

Leading the creative team for Sunny Side Up is Theatre Peckham’s artistic director and CEO Suzann McLean, along with set and costume designer Natalie Pryce and rising star in sound design Rasaq Kukoyi, a recent cover star of our sister title the Peckham Peculiar who is championed by awardwinning sound designer Tony Gayle.

David said: “Excited is an understatement. I feel fulfilled to be able to tell this story, a story of family, love and grief. I’m super chuffed that following Sunny Side Up’s success at Peckham Fringe 2022 I get to bring back a newer, longer version in a bigger space with a wicked set.

“Working with Suzann and bringing our ideas together and giving life to what I’ve written is what has made this process beautiful. I can’t wait for people to meet Lil D.”

Suzann said: “Sunny Side Up rings true for all that Theatre Peckham is about, providing a space for the young people of Peckham to platform their own unique stories.

“David is an exceptional creative, both his writing and his performance are captivating, which makes the play so compelling for audiences. It’s a 70-minute wake-up call, a call for change in the way society shapes young black boys for the battle of life.”

Until 4 March, tickets via theatrepeckham. co.uk

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