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In the Studio: Matthew Xia: Theatre director

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Matthew Xia

27/06/2023 GMT

Matthew Xia: Theatre director

BBC World Service - In the Studio, Matthew Xia: Theatre director

The theatre director on his hip-hop, futuristic production of Tambo & Bones

Theatre director Matthew Xia takes us behind the scenes of his latest co-production, Tambo & Bones.

***This programme contains racially sensitive language and themes that may be upsetting.***

Matthew Xia is a theatre director and Olivier award-winning Artistic Director of Actors Touring Company. As his alter ego DJ Excalibah, he performed to a global audience of over a billion as one of the headline DJs at the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony and he’s used his love of music for his latest co-production, a futuristic hip hop infused performance, Tambo & Bones, at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London.

Written by the US playwright Dave Harris, this satirical play, which is part distorted clown-show, part absurdist Afro-futuristic lecture with robots, explores the commodification and commercialisation of the traumatic black experiences that have been portrayed on stage over the decades. 

Felicity Finch follows Matthew, his actors and creative team as they develop the work into a playful, funny and provocative show. 

Presenter/producer: Felicity Finch
Executive produced by Andrea Kidd for the BBC World Service

(Photo: Matthew Xia. Credit: Actors Touring Company)

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