Black Life Monologues

The Mavis Movement present:

BLACK LIFE MONOLOGUES

The Black Life Monologues are a multi-genre series of monologues, songs, dances and poems which detail specific moments, experiences and perspectives centred around Blackness. Born of a lifetime of living in Black skin, this piece seeks to educate and illuminate the realities of life for Black people. The monologues will be written and performed by a family unit, The Mavis Movement. These siblings and cousins will dig within themselves to put forward the truth of Blackness as they see it.

Virus by Jordan Charles

A hint from us: you may want to watch this once, then again with a different perspective...

Hands Up by Dominic

The thought process behind this piece was - even though there have been so many recent injustices, I wanted to shine a light on those that have been forgotten about. Philandro Castille, Mike Brown, Sandra Bland, Elijah Mcclain. So many of my brother and sisters that have been slaughtered but have never fully received their justice. Dominic Charles, September 2020.

Skin by Ophelia

Do You Identify as Black? by Kandace

The Artists and Performers who make up The Mavis Movement

KANDACE SAUNDERS
Visual Artist, Designer, Poet
In 2019, Kandace launched her own design brand, KaySiobhan. The brand produces clothing, gifts and stationary that centres and celebrates the beauty and strength of black people. The messaging is drawn from Kandace’s personal lived experience and aims to uplift and empower members of her community as well as educating others about our excellence and experiences.
Instagram: @kaysiobhan

DOMINIC CHARLES
Dancer, Actor
Dominic booked his first professional job at the tender age of 19, only a week after graduating in Musical Theatre in 2017. He set off on his first contract with iconic cruise company, Carnival Crui es as a part of their award-winning production roster. Since then, he has worked 10 months of the year across the world performing in a total of 62 countries for both Carnival and Celebrity Cruises. When he’s not at sea, Dominic works as a dancer on land and has performed at legendary venues and events including the Dance World Cup, The Olympic Stadium and Wembley Stadium.

JORDAN CHARLES
Playwright, Poet, Singer, Actor
Prior to lockdown, Jordan had just begun his tenure as Resident
Artist at Islington Mill in Manchester where he was completing his second musical, OYA. An afro-fantasy musical drawing inspiration from the Orisha mythologies of West Africa. This was preceded by Jordan’s 3-year stint on BBC One Primetime television. First he was featured as a contestant on Gary Barlow’s Let it Shine where he performed with Dannii Minogue and the Kaiser Chiefs. A year later, he was cast as a Judge on BBC One’s All Together Now where he worked alongside Spice Girl Geri Horner.
Instagram: @iamjordancharles

OPHELIA CHARLES
Writer, Singer, Actor
Ophelia has achieved success as an actress and performer from a young age – winning multiple awards in Arts Festivals across the Midlands. In 2012, one of these festivals even named two categories and trophies after her before the age of 21. The Ophelia Charles Award is allocated every year for excellence in performance and The Ophelia Charles Public Speaking Trophy is awarded to an excellent orator at every festival. Ophelia has also performed at London’s iconic Old Vic Theatre.