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The University of Southampton
Economic, Social and Political Sciences

Sociologist advises National Theatre on mixed race for new production

Published: 16 January 2014 Origin:  Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

Professor Rosalind Edwards is acting as an advisor for the revival of ‘A Taste of Honey’ at The National Theatre.

The play, written by Shelagh Delaney in the mid-1950s, tells the story of a 17 year-old working class girl who is pregnant by a Black sailor who proposes marriage but then goes to sea. Central to the play are issues of class, race, gender and sexuality.

Professor Edwards is drawing on her research into single mothers bringing up mixed race children over 50 years ago compared with today, and her knowledge of social conditions at the time, to provide the director and cast with background information about the context for the play.

The full report, Lone Mothers of mixed racial and ethnic children , can be downloaded free on the Runnymede Trust website

More details of A Taste of Honey due to start next month can be found on the National Theatre website

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