Sus by Barrie Keefe

I’m doing a little bit of work for Splice Productions, promoting their show SUS by Barrie Keefe.

It’s a really interesting piece of work, particularly pertinent for our times.  Set on election night in 1979 on the eve of Thatcher’s Conservative government getting into power, it follows Delroy who is pulled into a police station under the notorious ‘Sus’ laws, on suspicion of murdering his wife.  These laws, where anyone could be arrested on suspicion of being about to commit a crime were repealed following the riots in St Pauls, Brixton and Toxteth, but of course now we have Stop and Search, which seems to have replaced Sus as a means of fighting knife crime and terrorism.  The number of black people stopped has risen by 322%, the number of Asian people by 277% and the number of white people by 185% to very little positive effect.

It’s being staged at the Bridewell Island complex, where Residence, Artspace Lifespace and the Long Arm Gallery are based and where we staged Stan’s Cafe’s Of All the People in All the World during this year’s Mayfest.  Even more interesting is that Bridewell is an ex-police station (Residence are in the old CID unit).

Splice are also inviting local DJs and MCs to respond to the play and the contemporary issues it raises and it’s got music by some of the most important artists of the time, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and The Specials.

Splice Productions
Sus by Barrie Keefe

with Huss Garbyia, Bob Gwilym and Jack Wharrier
Bridewell Island
15th – 26th July, 8pm
Saturdays 6pm & 9pm
Booking: 0117 9299008
www.bristolticketshop.co.uk