ARCHIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT
Introduction by Tammy Reynolds
Broken Biscuits was a play which visited artist Amina Atiq's grandmother’s Yemeni-British living room in the 1970’s, that sat on top of granddad’s corner shop on Lawrence road, selling broken biscuits for half a penny, to untangle what it means to be British.
In this year’s festival, Amina Atiq was set to perform her second performance of Broken Biscuits. However, in response to the Covid-19 restrictions, Amina has adapted her creative process and produced an experimental film, titled Unheard Voices to explore and capture the stories of Yemeni newsagents.
It is estimated that 400 Yemeni- owned newsagents are in the city, yet the hidden Yemeni community have received little attention publicly and in academic accounts. This film honours Granddads legacy. Yemeni-British shopkeepers set up corner shops on the streets of Britain after the first wave of Yemeni immigrants settling at a post-war era.
Unheard Voices will also combine poetry and script from Broken Biscuits. A second interview with charismatic Grandma Hayla, which explores a more detailed and intimate conversation, to discover what life was like for a Yemeni-British widow, raising seven children and a businesswoman after gran-dad died.
Broken Biscuits was first shared at the Unity Theatre as part of the scratch event for DadaFest in February 2020.
#DDFI2020Translations
#DDFIUnheardVoices
Credits
Featuring Gran-ma Hayla
With thanks to Hassan Mahamdallie
Filmed by Brian Roberts
Photo credit: Robin Clewley
Twitter: @Robinscamera
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