In October 2021, we staged My White Best Friend North at the Everyman - seven personal letters by writers of colour from Liverpool written and sealed, to be opened on the night of the performance by an actor seeing the words for the very first time.

Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, sometimes full of fire, the letters explored the personal and political of the things we don’t dare say. The letters from Yasmin Ali, Kiara Mohamed Amin, Brodie Arthur, Chantelle Lunt, Keith Saha, Levi Tafari and Dominique Walker have now been published by Bloomsbury.

It was an emotionally charged evening, for the writers, performers and audiences, and will live long in the memory of those in the theatre that night.
 
As Mark Da Vanzo, CEO said:
“It was an incredible night and we were so thankful for the honesty of the writers in sharing their personal stories, and to the actors for their bravery in performing unseen material. My White Best Friend North was more than a show for us. It challenged us, inspired us and sparked so many conversations. We listened and in response created Everyman Connects, a day of art, food and conversation about how our cultural spaces could do more and be more for the global majority. Now the letters are published, we’re pleased that others can now see how vital this show was and continues to be, in the theatres’ journey of ongoing change.”
 
You can purchase the playtext here www.bloomsbury.com/uk/my-white-best-friend-9781350352032

My White Best Friend North was a collaboration with Eclipse and the Royal Exchange Manchester, based on the original concept by Rachel De-Lahay.

If you want to read more about our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, you can find out more here