We’ve had a Black Panther movie, followed by a royal wedding with the bride being mixed heritage (there is no such thing as race). But people of colour have always been part and parcel of society, even though many of our achievements have gone unnoticed. The Croydon Avengers represent those people plugging away undercover, trying to do what’s best, failing, and then failing better. They want to be part of society but they can’t, thanks to laws that place barriers in front of them. They are in an awkward situation because they are fighting to uphold the law. This leads them to question what makes a person a citizen, or who or what institution has the power to tell people who they are or where they can or cannot make a life for themselves. This has been the most challenging aspect of the play for me to write. It is hard to imagine being in such a position – it’s like being in limbo, with your life on hold. Around you, people are getting on with their lives. This is hard for young people who are full of dreams and the energy to pursue those dreams, especially if they are inspired by role models like the characters in Black Panther and by Meghan Markle.
If I could be given a superpower, I’d want to be a master of the mystic arts like Dr Strange. It would be amazing to have powers that operate on the material and spiritual planes. I could do almost anything, but I’d have to remember that with great power comes great responsibility. I would use the powers to help change peoples’ lives.
Oladipo Agboluaje
Writer
Writer