A play exploring racism and the journey of the black, British male, has been created by Highams Park playwright Paula David using interviews with famous and local people.

We found out more ahead of it opening in Walthamstow today.

What inspired the play Sons of Blighty?

As a playwright I am interested in giving voice to groups within the community that are largely unheard. The British Caribbean male story is muffled by negative media stories and has been for decades. It is important to me that their voice is given the space it deserves.

When did you start writing it?

I began to write the play in the spring of 2015 after the interviews were complete.

How did you persuade poet and screenwriter Benjamin Zephaniah, Apprentice winner Tim Campbell MBE, the first black leader of the British Trade Union Lord Bill Morris and barrister of the Queen's Bench Courtney Griffiths QC to be interviewed?

All four men were convinced of the importance of giving voice to the Black British male experience. It is a fairly unique experience although they had different approaches to dealing with racism. All four were able to turn their negative experiences into positive outcomes.

What were they like?

I was impressed with their honesty and eagerness to support the project. All four were very generous with their time, giving several hours to be interviewed. Even though they are all very successful they were down to earth and easy to talk to. Benjamin Zephaniah has a great sense of humour, even though some of his stories were heart wrenching he managed to lighten some of those moments with some great humour. Bill Morris talked about the life long support from his wife being instrumental to his success. Sections of the interviews can be heard on the Write Network website.

Which local people did you interview?

The men interviewed all have a connection with Waltham Forest through work or residency. I approached Afro Caribbean Elders Association as well as publicising the project through Waltham Forest Libraries, local bookshops and community centres.

Where you surprised by anything you discovered?

I am of Caribbean heritage myself and so thought I knew most of what the experiences were. I was shocked by the very hostile reception that most Caribbeans received when they arrived. Being spat at and abused in the street, severe discrimination in the work place. I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. I think first generation British Caribbeans tried to protect their children from the extent of the racism and as a result there are a lot of details that are not known. It would be a tragedy if this history wasn’t gathered and preserved. It is a relevant and important part of British history.

How bad is racism in the UK today?

The Racial discrimination act 1975 has gone a long way to improve racial discrimination in the UK. However you cannot legislate against deeply held views. It will take generations to for it to be cured. Institutional racism is our biggest problem together with the tendency for minority groups to become scape goats for ailments within society.

What form does the play take?

Sons of Blighty is stylistically realism based on the observation of real life.

What is the storyline?

It’s a story of four British Caribbean men. The story explores their different ways of dealing with the hostility and racism they experience in the place they call home. The solutions they explore fail and succeed in different ways. All lead to an answer, but only one will set them free.

How many actors are in it?

There are five actors in the play Anthony Chisholm, Kristen Alminta, Chevron Pownall, Fabian Spencer and Korey J Ryan

What is your background?

I began writing poetry and song and explored novel writing before I arrived at playwriting,

I have many years experience as a Singer/songwriter and run Highams Park Live with my songwriting partner, Nigel Mear. Highams park live is an event with live literature and live music which runs bi monthly in the Function room, County Arms Pub, Highams Pk .

Where do you live?

I’ve lived in Highams Park for 15 years

Are you a member of any theatre groups?

I run the Highams Park live writers sharing group once a month. Local writers come together to share their work and create new pieces.

What do you hope audiences will take away from Sons of Blighty?

I hope that audiences will take away an understanding of the experiences of the Black, British male to date. I hope it will foster intergenerational understanding and lead to understanding across different minority groups.

Ye Olde Rose and Crown, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 4SA, November 19 to 21. Details: yeolderoseandcrowntheatrepub.co.uk, writenetwork.wordpress.com, highamsparklive.co.uk