Human Nurture

By Ryan Calais Cameron

A tale of race, allyship, privilege and vulnerability

Human Nurture by Ryan Calais Cameron embarked on a spring 2022 tour in co-production with Sheffield Theatres, followed by an autumn 2022 schools tour, in co-production with Theatre Peckham.

“I don’t agree with everything he says or does, but we do have a lot in common nowadays… and anyway I can’t be racist can I? My best mate is black.”

Runaku and Harry’s bond is so strong they could be brothers. They share the same food, music, laughs, computer games and even dreams – but not race. Runaku is black and Harry is white…but what does that matter, right?
 
When Runaku is rehomed, Harry is left behind in the care system, and these brothers start to walk down very different paths. Then on Harryʼs 18th birthday, Runaku returns for a dream reunion that turns into a nightmare situation. 

Photo by Celine Fortenbacher

Interrogating everything from innocent childhood humiliations to race, privilege, allyship and male vulnerability, Human Nurture toured to venues and schools in spring and autumn 2022.  

During the two tours, we delivered a total of 59 school performances and 15 workshops across 39 schools in England and Wales, reaching 6042 student audiences. Venues the show toured to include Sheffield Theatres; Live Theatre, Newcastle; Mercury Theatre, Colchester; The Lowry, Salford; Theatre Clwyd, Mold; Traverse, Edinburgh; and Soho Theatre and Theatre Peckham in London.

Human Nurture Cast and Creatives

Spring 2022

CAST 

Harry – Lucas Button

Runaku – Justice Ritchie  

Musician – Neeta Saarl 

CREATIVE TEAM 

Writer - Ryan Calais Cameron

Director – Rob Watt 

Sound Designer – Lee Affen 

Producer – Steven Atkinson

Company Stage Manager – Lizzie Bond

Movement Director – Yami Löfvenberg 

Lighting Designer – Simisola Majekodunmi 

Casting Associate – Becky Paris  

Composer – Neeta Sarl

Creative Associate - Monay Thomas 

Creative Associate - Monay Thomas

Autumn 2022

CAST 

Harry – Douglas Clarke-Wood

Runaku – Kieran Taylor-Ford

CREATIVE TEAM 

Writer – Ryan Calais Cameron

Director – Rob Watt

Sound Designer – Lee Affen

Set & Costume Designer – Jida Akil

Company Stage Managers – Lizzie Bond & Elese Palmer

Movement Director – Mateus Daniel

Lighting Designer – Bret Kasza

Drama Therapist – Wabriya King

Creative Associate – Monay Thomas

Associate Sound Designer – Riwa Saab

Production Manager – Chloe Stally Gibson

crackling, naturally funny dialogue and knock-out performances
— The Stage
dynamic, fast-moving and full of action and contrasts
— WhatsOnStage
Its visceral rawness and total authenticity hit you in the gut.
— The Guardian
a terrifying portrait of an atomised society
— The Scotsman

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