NEWS: Dark and Lovely @ Northern Stage, Newcastle

It may have technically been a comedy documentary but Chris Rock’s 2009 film Good Hair was actually quite a damning insight into style and culture in the modern age. It looked at how African-American women looked at their hair and how they’ve decided to style it over the years. While some embraced their roots and African traditions, many more were using relaxers and straighteners. Rock’s three-year-old daughter – who has curly black hair – even asked him why she didn’t have “good hair.”

Selina Thompson has been exploring the same issue here on the British Isles. She’s looked at the politics of black hair in a bit more depth than Rock and has been discovering what it tells us about black, female identity in the UK today. Dark and Lovely is a performance from inside her own amazing barnet, one that has been subjected on and off to weaves and extensions over the years. Using recorded conversations, music and written text, Selina will be exploring the complexities surrounding black hair and how women can transcend the politics that often surround it. It’s promising to be insightful and inspirational.

Dark and Lovely comes to Northern Stage, Newcastle on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November.