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“Rebecca Sings” By Ayesha Casely-Hayford

25 June

Ayesha Casely-Hayford | Actress blog

My Granny Becky. My mum’s mum. A big warm laugh and a warrior’s strength.

I love her so much that as a child, I took her name. I wanted to be as close to her as possible. My granny Becky is the grandparent I have always been closest too. She lives in Ghana but came to London when I was born to help look after me. She lived with us for nearly a year and visited us as often as she could. She turned 79 years old this year. She speaks of her body changing, aches and pains. Her eyes, her knees, her shoulders. She still works hard. She is hardly ever at home. Forever visiting, attending events, caring for and leading others.

She runs a Christian church service for children in the front porch of her home every Sunday morning. She has been a devoted teacher her entire life and faithful sister to her friends. She is the head of our family. She constantly reads and listens to the radio. She is up on all current affairs and you cannot catch her off guard. She is strong. She has survived.

Growing up in a different country to family is interesting. It’s sad. When you love and miss each other. It is immense joy when you visit and hold each other again. So there is a romantic quality built into the fabric of the relationship, all we ever know is the distant longing from being apart and the intense anticipation of happiness as we prepare to see each other again. Writing letters, speaking on the phone, feeling closer and closer still…thanks to What’s App. My family, led by granny Becky, is happiness and our family bond is fierce.

My relationship with my grandma Connie is completely different, I grew up away from her. For whatever reason, when creating my solo show, grandma Connie came first. Now, granny Becky is joining in. My solo show is extending! As Granny would say “With God, all things are possible – Amen”.

This is a tribute to my granny Becky, with all my love

I will be performing “Rebecca Sings” along side other solo performers presenting newly created work at 7.30pm on 7th July 2015 at The White Bear Theatre in Kennington. On 11th July at 4pm, also at The White Bear, I will be performing “Connie Speaks” and “Rebecca Sings”, together. 

My show is part of the Face to Face Festival of Solo Theatre, now in its 4th year. There are all manner of creative happenings occurring during the festival week on 30th June to 12th July 2015. Tickets and more details here.

Ayesha Casely-Hayford | Actress blog

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