At acta, we believe that theatre belongs to everyone, and everyone has a story to tell. Sometimes these stories come directly from our group participants, but other times we are approached by partner organisations with stories to tell.
We were delighted when in October 2023 the Royal British Legion approached us to create Forgotten Heroes, a powerful new play that we developed with our Malcolm X Elders group – African Caribbean elders, who meet regularly at the Malcolm X Centre in St Paul’s.
From the start, this project has been a collaborative journey. We have worked closely with the Royal British Legion to understand their goals: they are committed to supporting and representing the full diversity of people who have contributed to the UK’s armed forces, both past and present. For this project, Royal British Legion wanted to focus on Caribbean service personnel who have long been overlooked in mainstream histories of war and national service. They approached us because they felt we could do this in a way that felt authentic, respectful, and engaging.
Our first task was to find the right people to tell these stories. acta have a longstanding relationship with the Malcolm X Elders, so we offered them the opportunity to be part of the project. After an enthusiastic yes, we began to gather their voices, memories, and perspectives that would form the heart of Forgotten Heroes.
Through a series of workshops, research sessions, and improvisations, the cast developed material based on both historical records and their own memories. The result is a play that speaks not only to the history of Caribbean soldiers in British conflicts, but also to themes of identity, belonging, and pride. By spotlighting the diverse individuals who served Britain with courage and dignity, Forgotten Heroes reminds us that remembrance must include all voices.
After the initial development with Royal British Legion’s support, we sought additional funding to ensure this important work could be shared with the wider public. With further backing, we were able to bring the play to audiences in our community (including local schools) and beyond — ensuring these stories get the audience they deserve.
Partnering with the Royal British Legion has helped spark fresh ideas for us, and in turn we’ve been able to offer a platform to share their stories. Collaboration is at the core of our work – we encourage it amongst our participants in workshops, and as an organisation it helps keep our output relevant and ever-evolving.
We’re proud to have played a part in this work — and grateful to the Royal British Legion for their vision and support.
