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”
“dynamic, fast-moving and full of action and contrasts”
“Its visceral rawness and total authenticity hit you in the gut.”
“a terrifying portrait of an atomised society”
