Brickie You're The Top - Episode 4 in our Persons of Interest Audio Drama Carousel
Our final episode in the Persons of Interest Audio Drama series ... Brickie You're The Top reimagines a moment in the life of Ada 'Bricktop' Smith, we meet her as she presides over her famous bar 'Chez Bricktop' in Paris.
Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith was one of the most famous Jazz Club owners and entertainers of her time. From the 1920’s she has been loved and admired by many and influenced the likes of Cole Porter and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in Paris in the late 1920’s, Black entertainers were finding a new and glamorous life in Europe, Ada was a savvy business woman and understood the power of bringing fabulous, interesting and diverse people together in her club Chez Bricktop.
At the time, Ada is busy counting her money at the bar whilst talking with her old friend and confidante Langston Hughes. She is agitated and concerned about the whereabouts of her closest friend and ally, Josephine Baker. Ada pushes her concerns to the side to keep her guests happy and entertained until Josephine finally arrives after midnight with her beau, Pepe. Unbeknownst to Ada and Josephine, Pepe is planning to propose to Josephine in Ada's club to the delight of Josephine and the devastation of Ada. Ada must take the chance to talk with Josephine before she loses her forever.
Written by Amanda Huxtable and Produced by Vanitas Arts
Our final episode in the Persons of Interest Audio Drama series ... Brickie You're The Top reimagines a moment in the life of Ada 'Bricktop' Smith, we meet her as she presides over her famous bar 'Chez Bricktop' in Paris.
Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith was one of the most famous Jazz Club owners and entertainers of her time. From the 1920’s she has been loved and admired by many and influenced the likes of Cole Porter and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in Paris in the late 1920’s, Black entertainers were finding a new and glamorous life in Europe, Ada was a savvy business woman and understood the power of bringing fabulous, interesting and diverse people together in her club Chez Bricktop.
At the time, Ada is busy counting her money at the bar whilst talking with her old friend and confidante Langston Hughes. She is agitated and concerned about the whereabouts of her closest friend and ally, Josephine Baker. Ada pushes her concerns to the side to keep her guests happy and entertained until Josephine finally arrives after midnight with her beau, Pepe. Unbeknownst to Ada and Josephine, Pepe is planning to propose to Josephine in Ada's club to the delight of Josephine and the devastation of Ada. Ada must take the chance to talk with Josephine before she loses her forever.
Written by Amanda Huxtable and Produced by Vanitas Arts
We are proud to introduce Episode 3 of our Persons of Interest audio drama carousel. Here, we celebrate the life and times of Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson, band leader, dancer and singer. The Night The Music Died is a reimagined audio drama which explores Ken's life and his work at The Cafe dé Paris which was deemed 'The Safest and Gayest' place in London during the World War 2 blitz. Written by Shirley Harris and Produced by Vanitas Arts.
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We're pleased to say that so far, Episodes 1-3 of our Persons of Interest Audio Drama carousel have so far received over 3000 listens. We are grateful to everyone who's taken the time to listen to our work and hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved writing the stories, recording them and finding out how many people want to hear and support our work.
Introducing the first two episodes in our audio drama series, 'Persons of Interest', which explores prominent jazz artists who influenced the political and artistic landscape over the decades. Episodes one and two reimagine a moment in time in the lives of Gladys Bentley and Josephine Baker.
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The Chatelaine
Josephine Baker performed for integrated audiences of both French and USA troops during World War 2. Whilst serving as a member of French Resistance forces, Josephine smuggled messages in lyrics sent back to France from opposing forces. The Chateau De Milandes provided the perfect hideaway for Josephine as well as providing a haven for Jewish people fleeing capture from Nazi forces. Written by Shirley Harris and Amanda Huxtable and based on an idea by Chérie Taylor-Battiste, 'The Chatelaine' explores Josephine Baker as a resistance fighter dedicated to toiling against the forces of destruction. A story to celebrate International Women's Day 2023. The year is 1942 and from her chateau in the south of France, Josephine Baker offers a safe space for refugees fleeing the Nazis after the fall of Paris. Our story begins when Josephine, her maid and companion Etta, and close confidante Jaques Abtey, head of the counter military intelligence, receive unexpected guests in the shape of German soldiers looking to flush out refugees and Jewish citizens. Josephine must use her brevity and celebrity to fight the tyranny of the Nazi forces and protect those who have found safe harbour with her at The Chateau des Milandes. Written by Amanda Huxtable and Shirley Harris. Produced by Vanitas Arts. 
To celebrate over 1000 listens to the Persons of Interest audio dramas, we are sharing a compilation of the music and songs featured on 'You're Somethin' Else, Gladys' and 'The Chatelaine'.
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Launched February 2023 - You're Somethin' Else, Gladys
You're Somethin' Else, Gladys
'You're Somethin' Else, Gladys' reimagines the story of former Drag King Gladys Bentley who finds herself and husband Charles living at her mother's house in the 1950's US McCarthy Era. Gone are the golden years of the Harlem Renaissance when Gladys could single handedly fill the Clam Club - she was one of the biggest earners on the circuit and Charles was a dancer in her shows. As Gladys and Charles await the arrival of Mike, a journalist sniffing out the stories that will expose the stars for their transgressions and sexual indiscretions. Will Gladys crumble under Mike's charming probing? Will Charles keep up his end of the bargain? Will Mama spill the beans? Written by Anita Franklin and produced by Vanitas Arts, this is Episode 1 of our audio drama series 'Persons of Interest' exploring jazz auteurs. 
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Persons of Interest
We have developed an audio drama series based on the lives of four prominent jazz artists who are Black and Queer - Josephine Baker, Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson, Gladys Bentley and Ada 'Bricktop' Smith. Each audio drama reimagines a moment in their lives and will tell a story of that moment in time. The work has been developed through a series of writers' rooms, actor call outs, rehearsals and recordings. Enjoy a combination of story, song and music that tells a story of what could have happened. We released the first two audio drama episodes in Spring 2023. Watch out for episodes 3 and 4 in Autumn 2023. |