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Zakiyyah Deen - Why A Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister Interview

Created out of frustration with the lack of attention towards Black women’s maternal health, writer and performer Zakiyyah Deen’s debut play scrutinizes how intersectionality and British politics contribute to the lived experiences of Black women's maternal journeys. A co-production with Camden People’s Theatre as part of their 30th anniversary season championing early-career artists, Why A Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister follows Shanice, a young black woman, from her first day at university, and John on his first day of his political campaign. Shanice proudly embodies all the things that John is not. She represents the people, while he represents the institution. Coming from two different worlds but the same area in London, an opportunity arises for these two worlds to collide, revealing their stark differences and uncanny similarities as the hypocrisy of public facing messaging around diversity compared to the reality comes to the foreground. Set over nine months, this piece explores intersectionality, British politics, and Black women's maternal health, fusing satire, spoken word, and narrative.


Ahead of performances at Camden People’s Theatre from 22nd October until 9th November. We sat down with Zakiyyah to learn more.

What can you tell me about the piece?
Why A Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister tells the story of Shanice, a young Black woman just starting university, and John, a politician kicking off his campaign. They’re from the same area but live in completely different worlds. Shanice represents the people, while John represents the institution. As their paths cross, we see the hypocrisy of what’s said in public versus what happens in real life. It’s a dramedy that uses satire, spoken word, and narrative to explore issues around race, politics, and Black women’s maternal health.
 
What inspired you to write the piece?
This came out of frustration. During lockdown, I had a lot of conversations with my mum, who’s a doula, about Black women’s health and how no one was talking about it. The stats are shocking - Black women are significantly more likely to die in childbirth than white women, but no one seemed bothered. So, I decided to write a piece that could start those conversations and highlight those issues through a creative lens.
 
What was the biggest challenge of writing and developing the piece?
Juggling everything! I’m wearing a lot of hats - writer, performer, co-producer - so the last six months have been intense. But the hardest part is balancing the personal with the political in a way that doesn’t feel preachy but still hits home. Luckily, my creative team and cast have been incredible, and that’s helped a lot.
 
How do you view the topics that are discussed in the piece and how things are in 2024?
In 2024, we’re still battling the same systemic issues - racism, inequality in healthcare, the failures of the political system. The conversation has started, but we’ve got a long way to go before there’s real change. The play reflects these ongoing issues and pushes audiences to think about what’s really happening behind the headlines.
 
Why was it important to you to discuss these issues in a play?
Theatre’s an amazing space for debate and reflection. It’s where we can talk about big issues in a way that’s accessible and relatable. I could write an article, sure, but theatre allows me to show these experiences, especially through characters like Shanice, so that audiences feel it emotionally. I want people to be moved and provoked to think differently.


What keeps you inspired?

Honestly, the people around me. I’m lucky to know so many talented beings, so I’m gonna shout them out! Ruth Oyediran is doing incredible things with her play My Period the C**kblock. Tobi King Bakare is a writer and performer who’s just been nominated for a Black British Theatre Award. And Reda Elazouar - our associate producer. He is an amazing actor and a brilliant writer. Someone whose wit and talent just blows me away. These people (and many others) inspire me on a daily basis.
 
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I want them to walk away knowing that you don’t have to be a politician to have a voice. Politics affects all of us, and we have the right to challenge it. I also want them to think about how the personal is always political - Shanice’s journey reflects so many real-life issues that often get ignored. I hope it sparks conversations and pushes people to think about the changes we need.
 
Where can people see the show?
You can catch it at Camden People’s Theatre from 22nd October to 9th November, as part of the 30th anniversary season. Defo roll through and I hope to see you there. Nuff love.


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