De Botty Business Premieres at Hackney Empire
On Wednesday 5th March, the new play by Benjamin Zephaniah specially commissioned by The Prostate Cancer Charity premiered at Hackney Empire. De Botty Business is a humorous take on the cultural myths fears and taboos surrounding prostate cancer in African Caribbean communities. It aimed to provide light-hearted entertainment whilst educating the audience about the facts surrounding prostate cancer. African Caribbean men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men and also less likely to get the targeted help and support that they need.
De Botty Business is a comedy set in a West Midlands barbershop. When Mr Maxwell is faced with the possibility of being tested for prostate cancer, he panics. He turns to his friends and family for support who offer him all sorts of advice, some more helpful than others!
Over 800 people were present at Hackney to see the show which raised a lot of laughter from the audience! The performance concluded with a short speech by Benjamin Zephaniah, who explained why he wrote the play and got involved with The Prostate Cancer Charity.
The Prostate Cancer Charity also held a VIP reception at Hackney Empire pre-performance for health professionals, celebrities and leading lights in the African Caribbean community. View the photos of the show and VIP reception.
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De Botty Business then went on a regional tour during Prostate Cancer Awareness week, and was performed in front of audiences at African Caribbean community centres in Bristol, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Leeds and Liverpool. The centres were specifically picked so that people who do not usually go to the theatre got to see the play.
The Prostate Cancer Charity would like to thank Lloyds TSB and Kato Enterprises for their support in putting on this production both at Hackney and in the regions.