Precious Mckenzie became a weightlifting legend when, after an extraordinary childhood in apartheid blighted South Africa, he emigrated to England and won four consecutive Gold Medals in the Commonwealth Gold Medals.

Fifty years later, Emily Campbell steps onto the Olympic stage and, in a moment described by The Guardian as “surely [the] most powerful, heartwarming and potentially life-changing story of these Games”, she lifted more than any British woman has ever lifted before.

Next week we are spending five days making a theatre show about these two wonderful athletes and the inspiration they give us when it comes to lifting up heavy things.

This will be our first bi-lingual show as, with the support and guidance of DeafExplorer, our cast mixes deaf and hearing actors. British Sign Language will be integrated into the performance with the aspiration that formal interpretation won’t be required.

Tickets are free but are limited so please book in advance. We hope to see you…

Precious Emily (early version)
Saturday 6 November 14:00 & 16:00
Oakdale Centre, Umberslade Road, B29 7SB
Tickets Free (book in advance)

We are delighted to announce our artistic team for Precious Emily:

• Rosie Baggott: Actor, weightlifter, yoga instructor.
• Emily Davies: Stage manager.
• Orique Johnson: A man of many talents, here he’s the musician.
• Caroline Parker MBE: Actor, comedian, sign-singer.
• Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford: Actor, director, drama facilitator.
• Paul ‘Steady’ Steadman: Choreographer, DJ and founder of Yugen Arts, here he’s Assistant Director.
• Jack Trow: Actor, writer, Stan’s Cafe veteran.
• Elexi Walker: Actor and voice-over artist.
• Holly Williams: Actor, photographer, poet.
• James Yarker: Director.