On Mon 25 May 2020, a police officer in Minneapolis killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

This brutal murder ignited a global surge of anger and pain. An ocean away, from the Windrush scandal to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, racist oppression is very much alive in the UK.

Acclaimed playwright Roy Williams brought together 14 writers to respond artistically to George Floyd’s murder and the Black Lives Matter Movement. From this came 846 – a collection of short pieces. Each is a standalone exploration of racial inequality and oppression, but together they form a powerful tapestry of voices.

846 is directed by Ola Ince and features a soundscape by Donato Wharton. Please note that 846 contains very strong language and discusses themes some may find sensitive or upsetting.

Episode 1: Growing up in racist Britain - listen now (also available on Apple Podcasts)

8 MINUTES 46 SECONDS by Roy Williams, performed by Elijah Ansah
SYRITA by Carol Russell, performed by Carol Russell
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED by Lettie Precious, performed by Jade Anouka
I CAN BREATHE BUT I DON’T by Samina Baig, performed by Stephanie Street
SHEHE by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, performed by Paapa Essiedu
Captioned version here


Episode 2: Police Brutality - listen now (also available on Apple Podcasts)

I WITNESSED A MURDER by Eddie Botsio, performed by Tamara Lawrence
IC3 by Nathaniel Martello-White, performed by Kirsty Bushell
FONG LEE by David K.S. Tse, performed by Tuyen Do
COP by Avril E. Russell, performed by Cherrelle Skeete
SAY THEIR NAMES by Sumerah Srivastav, performed by Will Edgerton
Captioned version here

Episode 3: The effects of racism on mental health - listen now (also available on Apple Podcasts)
 

SUCK. YOUR. MUM. by Nathan Powell, performed by Kevin Harvey
THE TIME WHEN by Ishy Din, performed by Shane Zaza
TRIGGERED by Clint Dyer, performed by Clint Dyer
MY PART by Selina Thompson, performed by Jude Akuwudike, Doreene Blackstock, Carlos Byles, Dona Croll, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Martina Laird, Rebekah Murrell
Captioned version here


846 will be adapted and performed live as part of the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival on Sat 12 Sept. Casting for 846 Live will be announced in due course and tickets are available from www.festival.org/gdif-846.

Director & Dramaturg Ola Ince
Sound Designer Donato Wharton
Lead Playwright Roy Williams
Casting Nadia Fall

For advice and guidance, please check out these resources:
Black Lives Matter resources from Future Learn
Black Minds Matter UK
Black Thrive
UK Black Pride
Therapy for Black Girls' podcast series (Sessions 152, 162 & 163)
QTPOC Mental Health
 

846 has been supported by the Royal Docks Team.