WORD! June Edition

Join us for our last WORD! of the season, headlined by acclaimed director, dramaturg, producer, actor and public speaker Anthony Ekundayo Lennon.

Alongside an open mic of our local poetry and spoken word scene’s most exciting voices — and the infamous WORD! raffle — this special evening will feature a five minute screening of We All Come From Somewhere, part of a recent collaboration between WORD! and De Montfort University’s BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Communication programme.

Created to explore cultural diversity across the UK and celebrate Leicester as a vibrant multicultural city, We All Come From Somewhere brings together fashion, storytelling and lived experience in a powerful new creative project. What does it look like to belong? What does it mean to come from anywhere? How might the arts help bring us together to increase understanding and cross cultural dialogue?

With an original soundtrack by Thomas Heath of WORD! and St.Ghosty Creatives, and the poetry of WORD! and St. Ghosty’s, Royal Society of Literature supported Transmissions cohort – we’d love to share it with you – and even better, get you involved.

About Anthony Ekundayo Lennon

With forty years’ artistic experience ranging from community theatre to hip hop to the Royal Shakespeare Company and West End – Anthony Ekundayo Lennon has been lauded by stars of film and theatre.

Trained at Weekend Arts College, Cockpit Theatre and youth theatres before performing with companies including Talawa, Black Mime and Liverpool Everyman, his directing credits include staff director at the National Theatre, assistant at the Almeida, Birmingham Rep, Manchester Exchange, Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Curve (An Officer and A Gentleman) and for Debbie Allen’s West End production of Cat on A hot Tin Roof.

A former Talawa associate director, he directed a sell-out re-visioning of Othello, and continues to collaborate, mentor, direct and dramaturg across the UK and US across theatre, hip hop and contemporary dance projects.

“Integrity, compassion, and grit” – Lucian Msamati (Actor, Director, Oscar nominated for ‘Conclave’ 2024)
“…sharp eye and bristling creative instincts. I look forward to returning to London and working in the West End. Anthony will be one of the first calls I make.” – Debbie Allen – Director, Producer (Choreographer; star of Fame, Roots, and numerous Broadway, film and theatre productions)

“…the spiritual engine of Breakin’ Convention” – Jonzi D

Anthony is currently writing an autobiographical play, MISTAKEN IDENTITY, in collaboration with rising playwright Alfie Neill (SLUMLORD). The project is supported by Arts Council England, AAC and the National Theatre Studio New Work Support Programme.

At this very special WORD! Event, Anthony will be sharing ‘Sweet Memories’, a captivating and interactive monologue with visuals. Here he reflects upon his extraordinary family, heritage and identity story – in a way that helps us think about our own.

Recommended Price: £10

Notice: Potentially triggering material and/or adult content within the open mic. Sudden, loud noises (clapping/noise after each open mic)

What are ‘Pay What You Can’ tickets?

We believe that that arts should be accessible for all. For this reason some of our shows and events this year will be ‘Pay What You Can’, meaning that you decide how much you can or want to pay. This expands access to the arts for those who may not have been able to participate otherwise, or gives others the chance to support those who cannot by paying a bit extra.

You will see multiple prices available for each show or event. You can select whichever price you can afford or would like to pay – thank you.