About the performance

Raising Lazarus is the true story of a forgotten relative, Private Lazarus Francois, who left Grenada to fight for England during World War I.. Written and performed by Kat Francois, former World Slam Poetry Champion, Raising Lazarus is a powerful play, bringing to life the entwined histories of Britain, the West Indies in the First World War.

Key Personnel

Kat Francois - Writer/performer
DAWN REID - Director
ROB COVELL - Technician, musical composition, visuals and project manager.

Production Information

Running time at full length: 1 hour

Suitable for age 13/14+

Use of light text

Use of recorded and live music

Requires a clear understanding of English

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for a studio setting

Number of people on tour: 2

Number of performers on stage: 1

Available to tour from October 2011

Outreach and Educational Work

The schools version of RAISING LAZARUS is an hour long, 45 minute performance, 15 minute Q&A and character hot seating. Worksheets and accompanying resources are also available, as are workshops delivered by Kat Francois in her role as a facilitator, in the form of dymanic, interactive and enganging sessions, including poetry workshops, history lessons, drama lessions or English lessons to compliment the school curriculum.

Company History

Zupakat Productions has developed alongside Kat Francois producing and touring SEVEN TIMES ME, nationally and internationally. They also organising monthly live poetry and music events, help develop the Kat Francois web site and brand and providing marketing materials including flyers and publicity photos. Zupakat has also been involved with promoting and organising school workshops and adult performance courses, developing relationships with audiences and practitioner, as well as publishing Kat Francois' first poetry collection.

Recent Productions / Tours

All stars poetry tour 2010/11, nationwide poetry/music tour.
The Hate Play, touring school play, november 2010.
Glastonbury Festival June 2009 & 2010, poetry performance
Electric Festival, Dublin 2009 theatre performance seven times
Womad Festival 2009, poetry performance
Latitude Festival July 2010, poetry performance,
Big Chill festival August 2010, poetry performance.
Kat's got your tongue, comedy show, July 2010,
Poetry tour, Berlin/ Italy, September 2010,
Islington Comedy Festival, November 2010,
Quincy's Comedy Lounge Stratford Circus, December 2010.
Queen Head, Islington, comedy March 2011.

Reviews

Audience comments for raising Lazarus, September 2009:

“Fantastic show, really glad I came. Truly inspired. Keep up the good work and the inspiring” - Michelle Pritchard

“Wonderfully inspiring show, thank you" - Shaida Ali

“Thank you so much for having shared your experiences of researching your family and bringing your findings to life, in such a wonderfully captivating and informative manner. You are an inspiration to many young black brothers and sisters here. I felt proud of you and am sure that your family feel the same! God Bless“ - Anna Ejidin.

“Kat as always you’re an inspiration, Loved it, and if you take it on the road, I’ll take my young people.” - Gabs

“Incredible performance! Your wit, your skills, versatility and incredible talent are so enjoyable and enlightening, BIG UP. Bring on the schools tour; tell history like it needs to be told, Much love” - Kate

“Whoa, double whoa, sister Kat as always an inspiration, to watch see and hear perform!
So when you doing it again? You know you got to! Deeply inspirational as usual.
Keep your flow” - Shakira

“An amazing depiction of your family’s history, you displayed courage, strength and conviction to animate your great Uncles Lazarus life. Feel inspired to write again.”

“Loved the show- you’ve inspired us to go and delve into our family history, thanks you so much. P.S you was sweaty, which means you worked hard.” - Monique.