and the Crow
Written by DANIEL WARD
Music by PREZ 96 and JAMES FREWER
Directed by PAUL SMITH
Photo by THE OTHER RICHARD
Award-winning grime and hip hop-inspired gig theatre
The Canary and the Crow is award-winning grime and hip hop-inspired gig theatre about the journey of a working class Black kid who’s accepted to a prestigious grammar school.
This lyrical, semi-autobiographical play from writer and performer Daniel Ward uses original live music from Prez 96 and James Frewer to tell a story of the struggle between a new environment that doesn’t accept you and an old one that has no opportunity.
Originally written in 2014, Daniel developed the script with Middle Child during a week-long residency in 2018. Middle Child then produced and premiered the show at Hull Truck Theatre in 2019.
The Canary and the Crow toured to Latitude Festival, then the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and an autumn tour with the Paines Plough Roundabout, followed by a run at London’s Arcola Theatre in early 2020.
Stream online
For one-week only, stream a 360° video of The Canary and the Crow, captured by LIVR during a performance in the Paines Plough Roundabout at Theatre Royal Stratford East, in October 2019.
Pay what you decide – £5, £10 or £15 – to access the video, when it’s made available through this page from 25-31 October 2021. Once purchased, you will be able to access the video for 24 hours. Payments are processed by Stripe.
No VR headset is necessary to watch the video. Unfortunately captions/subtitles are not supported by this video player.
Guidance
Age: 14+
Running time: 70 minutes
Contains themes of racial identity and class, with some strong language. See our contents note page for a plot summary.
Watch online
25-31 October 2021
360° video recording by LIVR
Available for 24 hours after purchase
Pay what you decide: £5, £10 or £15
Watch for £5
Watch for £10
Watch for £15
Reviews
★★★★★
“The audience was on their feet before the show was even finished”
The List
★★★★★
“[Slams] the racism and classism inherent in the private school system with the power and energy of a backstreet grime concert.”
Broadway Baby
★★★★★
“Stunning, stunning theatre… It is open, energetic, warm and inviting.”
Miro Magazine
Video
Photos
Cast
Rachel Barnes
Laurie Jamieson
Nigel Taylor
Daniel Ward
Creative Team
Writer – Daniel Ward
Director – Paul Smith
Co-composer – Prez 96
Co-composer and Musical Director – James Frewer
Designer – Natalie Young
Lighting Designer – Jess Addinall
Movement Director – Ryan Harston
Artistic Associate – Matthew May
