According to UK homelessness charity Shelter, over 270,000 people in England are homeless, with another 70,000 people at imminent risk according to recent government figures. For the period of 2021-2022, Trussell Trust reported that 283,563 people had accessed their food banks, equating to over 1.5 million food parcels.
Formerly homeless rapper M!key Garland addresses Britain’s shame in their upcoming show at Hope Street Theatre in February 9th, 10th, and 11th. “Who’s Afraid of M!key Garland?” is an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant funded one-person show that contextualises the rappers debut rap album of the same name.
“Who’s Afraid of M!key Garland?” was released in June 2022, and explores Garland’s experience of homelessness in the early 2010s, and tackles themes of poverty, addiction, and mental health.
The Liverpool-based rapper submitted the tracks in the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest to enormous success. All 11 songs ranked highly in the competition with commendation and praise, and four songs, No Fools in Liverpool, Where Will Your Money Be?, Daydream, and The M.M. Effect (Crown of Thorns) reached the Semi-Finals. The album was subsequently long-listed for an International Songwriting Award.
CONTENT WARNING: This show contains flashing lights; references to domestic abuse, racism, homophobia, sexism, suicide, mental illness, death, drugs, sex, sexual assault, and violence. These themes may be triggering to some people and so audience discretion is advised. The show also contains partial nudity (not full frontal).
Tickets available through TicketQuarter