Tuareg Productions: Our Legacy Through Multimedia Storytelling

The day will be facilitated by Tuareg’s founder, Lorna Holder, who will lead interactive discussions on the storytelling processes that shape Tuareg’s multimedia productions. It will be of interest to students in film, and documentary making, community television, arts and cultural enthusiasts, care, reminiscence, and heritage professionals who seek insights and tools for improving mental health.

The afternoon will conclude with the launch of Dress to Remember - a dementia-friendly project, developed in collaboration with Tuareg Production and Brent Council’s Libraries, Arts, Heritage, and Outreach Services. This initiative uses family photographs to help individuals with dementia revisit family archives and reconnect with meaningful moments from their past.

Looking ahead to 2025, Tuareg Productions will continue its commitment to dementia awareness through the staging of Dress to Remember - Dementia Awareness Forums, throughout London and the South-East.

Notable productions and projects featured:

Tuareg Productions devised new theatre, literature, documentaries, and exhibitions exploring the challenges of the host nation engaging with new migrant communities by staging its first production Living Under One Roof: The monologues, that debuted at the V&A in 2003 and toured for three years. It introduced a host of industry stars that later became household names including actors Wil Johnson (Spooks), Indra Ove, Samantha McDonald, Leon Herbert, Patrick McKenzie, and Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and eminent director Sir Horace Ove, and broadcaster Alex Pascall, OBE. Actor Marshia Millar (Top Boy) will perform her monologue based on the original character – Millicent. 

Living Under One Roof – the stage play (Performed 2006 – 2009) - dealt with the tensions and celebrations of a disparate group of Caribbeans sharing a house in Nottingham during the 1960s. Actors included BAFTA nominated Cathy Tyson, Nikki Sanderson (Coronation St), Heshima Thompson (Prime Suspect), and Trevor George (Coronation Street).

Homeward Bound (2006) - a short play by Troy Fairclough, directed by Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire), with Marshia Millar (Top Boy), and monologue written by Lorna Holder, with Theodosia Tadiar, directed by Leon Herbert.

The Ones We Left Behind (2006) - about the decisions diverse communities made when leaving their homelands and the effect on loved ones left behind. 

Moving Out (2007) - a unique look at Industrial Nottingham through the eyes of the 1960s Windrush settlers, focusing on their experiences of, and contributions to the local industries of the time.  

Building Bridges (2008) – a half hour documentary, that premiered at the British Museum and later televised, examined the experiences of the host community witnessing large groups of Caribbean people arriving in Britain after WW2.

Brighter Days (2011) - Waterstone Nottingham best seller by Vida Theodosia Harris - a book of moving poetry and words of inspiration following the tragic loss of her youngest daughter in the Marchioness disaster on the River Thames, where fifty-one lives were lost on that fatal night of 20th August 1989. 

Hanging Out then and now (2012) – a multi-media project exploring youth culture (fashion, music, sports, film, entertainment, and protest) during the 50s and 60s. Included a display, a 50-minute documentary, and hard copy and e-book.

Jamaica Hidden Histories (2012-2015) – a well-received exhibition that unearth Jamaica’s distinctive cultural identity and links to Britain.  Through several key historic occurrences, it examines how early social, cultural and environmental influences have shaped notions of identity in multicultural Britain, with a particular focus on the Birmingham community.

Style in my DNA (2018) by Lorna Holder – a publication Celebrating 70 Years of Caribbean Fashion Influence in Britain. Successfully launched at the V&A in June 2018 this informative and essential text represents black cultural history, fashion and identity, an invaluable resource for fashion studies, black studies, Windrush archive studies, research and social history.

Detailed event programme to be announced.