Dark & Lovely was originally developed with the residents of Chapeltown Road, Leeds.
In the six months leading to the final performances, Selina rooted herself in salons and beauty shops in Chapeltown. Collecting the stories and opinions of those she spoke to, Selina explored afro hair: it’s politics, it’s connotations and what it tells us about being Black, British and Young in the UK today.
The final performances saw Selina take centre stage inside a giant ‘tumble-weave’ made from weaves and extensions. Using recorded conversation, music and written text the performance explores the complexities of the social debate surrounding black hair. Transforming the tumble-weave, which she described as ‘a little bit gross’, into some- thing beautiful, which could transcend the weight of all the connotations placed upon it.
It then became a nationally touring solo show, inspired by Selina’s research into the cultural and social debate surrounding Black hair, and how this contributed to our understanding of Black identity.
Dark & Lovely Reading List here.
Originally developed with East Street Arts, Leeds Inspired and Arts Council England – Dark & Lovely toured to 6 venues in Autumn 2015 to sell-out audiences and 5star reviews.