I am writing to you on behalf of Kick it Out to ask for your help in spreading the word to your fellow supporters about an important event that is coming your way in October.
As part of our strategy to combat racism in football we have commissioned the award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland to produce a new play to coincide with Black History Month 2019.
We are now delighted to announce that Getting The Third Degree will begin a nationwide tour of the UK, with the support of Arts Council England, beginning in October 2019 and it will be coming to The Wardrobe Theatre Bristol on Tuesday 22nd October. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/getting-the-third-degree/.
This compelling new drama tells the powerful and deeply moving dramatisation of story of Laurie Cunningham who came to prominence with West Bromwich Albion in the late 1970’s. The first of the black footballing trio famously dubbed The Three Degrees – Laurie Cunningham with his swaggering style and dazzling skills forced favourable comparisons with the legendary Pele. The first black footballer to sign for the mighty Real Madrid and only the second to win a full cap for England he inspired a whole generation of young black players to follow in his pioneering footsteps.
In dramatising Laurie Cunningham’s meteoric rise to stardom Getting The Third Degree also explores how he and his fellow black players – Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis – triumphed over the racial abuse and physical threats often orchestrated by The National Front through a potent combination of footballing brilliance, charismatic style and compelling dignity.
Incorporating 1970’s funk, soul, blues, contemporary commentary and social and political speeches Getting The Third Degree is a powerful piece of theatre that vividly recreates a tense and troubled period in the history of football and the wider society.
We believe that Getting The Third Degree has the potential to deliver an incredibly powerful message in support of our battle against racism in football and we would be grateful for your support in informing all your fellow supporters about the production. The more fans and followers of football we can encourage to see this exciting production the greater its impact will be.
For more information you can also visit the Kick it Out Website at www.kickitout.org/news/kick-it-out-launch-new-play-based-on-the-life-of-laurie-cunningham .
Yours
Jim Brown
On Behalf of Kick it Out
07899898136