“The appearance of Britain is wealth, trendiness, economic stability, and multiculturalism. The reality is US-lust, Islamophobia, housing crises, fat stupid kids, reality TV and multiculturalism.”
(Nikesh Shukla)

To coincide with the current debates about national identity, the Drum’s UnionBlack season explores through the medium of art and cultural activities, the notion of what it truly means to be British. What makes Britain so quintessentially British? Is it our love for tea, the Queen, Cricket or roast dinners? Or is this notion of Britishness becoming fast obsolete and our true culture of chavs, rainy days and beer fuelled louts becoming more apparent?

The Drum kicks off its UnionBlack season with the comedy showcase I’m a National Treasure by Rudi Lickwood on Thu 11th Sep, 7.30pm. The event showcases the notion of Black, British and proud. Rudi’s comedy mirrors the ever-changing face of multicultural modern Britain, from drinking Belgian beer whilst eating an Indian take-away to watching an American Programme on his Japanese TV!

The Britishness Test on Thu 18 Sep, 7.30pm, really challenges what it means to be British in the 21st Century. Following the controversial Britishness Test by the home office, where immigrants applying for British citizenship will be expected to convey a broad knowledge of UK life. Nikesh Shukla, renowned performance poet, musician and author, performing a one-man spoken word performance with music, poetry and lots of hats.

The season also sees performances from Caste Away Arts sell-out show Fifth Cup on Wed 24 and Thu 25 Sep, 7.30pm. Based on true-life experiences, this production offers a poignant insight into discrimination within the British-Asian community, viewed through the eyes of a young boy.

There are also theatre performances from The Maharajah and Kohinoor a touching tale of love and loyalty of a child arriving on the shores of England, Wed 15 Oct. Dance performances from Cool Rules and Fams, a performance which follows the hopes and aspirations of a young man growing up in modern Britain, Sat 18 Oct, 7.30pm. Musical performances in the form of UK grime artist MC Bashy, Sun 7 Oct, with inspiring lyrical flows and unforgettable performances. There is also a chance to catch a glimpse of Shane Meadows highly acclaimed quintessentially British film, This Is England, Mon 20 Oct, 10am.

The Drum is also proud to welcome a thought provoking photography exhibition Soon Come by artist Anne-Marie Salmon, Mon 6 Oct- Fri 31 Oct. Following on from the hugely successful show Sweet Tooth, Rivers to cross will take its patrons on a multimedia journey through history, Thu 23 Oct, 7.30pm. Musical geniuses Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare will take to the stage on Sat 25 Oct, for a musical extravaganza with their band and special guests.

Building on the success of last year’s events, Coolies of the Caribbean Part II are back to reveal more about forced migration of over a million Indians to the Caribbean, Sat 8 Nov, 7.30. Birmingham’s underground spoken word collective, The Artistic Souls have teamed up with The Drum to present Somewhere I Belong The God Fathers Souls’ House, an exploration, in a Big Brother setting, of home individuality and belonging, Wed 12 Nov. Comedians round off the season with Café Masti presents Union Black, hosted by TV’s Steven Anderson and featuring RBI award winner Kiwi Asif, Fri 15 Nov, 7pm.