On 30 July, the Bush Theatre will be screening the Love Island final, challenging the assumption, dictated by inherited power structures, that theatre is a place of ‘high culture’ that can only reach new audiences by adapting traditional forms. In the spirit of a truly public building, we have chosen to program along the lines of appeal and demand, recognising what will be one of the most significant cultural moments on 2018.
The event will begin with a relaxed one hour discussion on this series, facilitated by Bolu Babalola, examining what has been a highly problematic series in terms of race, gender and age politics. We will provide a safe space for audience members to discuss the impact of the series on them, including an examination of the practical mechanisms we often employ to enjoy a TV program that by its very nature excludes or disempowers people that look like us.
Following this hour-long discussion, we will go straight into a viewing on the final.
Bolu worked at BBC Comedy for 3 years as a writer’s assistant on sketch shows such as The Javone Prince Show and The Tracey Ullman Show, before discovering and pitching the webseries Ackee & Saltfish to BBC Comedy, becoming Assistant Producer on the well-received pilot. Her short story Netflix & Chill was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian B4ME Short Story prize to critical acclaim, and she is currently writing her debut novel, and developing a television pilot and working as a freelance pop-culture writer.
