Interview with Kwaku Fortune
- Yani Perez
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Kwaku Fortune's The Black Wolfe Tone is a gripping and darkly funny solo show that plunges into one man's internal struggle as he wrestles with heritage, emotional survival, and the need to speak out after a long silence. With sharp writing and an unforgettable performance, the piece balances raw confession with wit and humanity. I asked Fortune about the journey behind the play, the role of humor in navigating pain, and the unexpected backstage moments that kept him grounded.
What inspired you to write The Black Wolfe Tone?
I wasn’t so much inspired as it was ripped from me kicking and screaming and with great reluctance. A story, my story, that I always wanted to tell but was never brave enough to, until now.
The Black Wolfe Tone is described as a fast-paced journey through identity, silence, and mental health. How did you approach balancing those intense themes with the emotional arc of the character?
I think the balance is hopefully in the comedy. You need the light with the dark; otherwise, it’s too intense, and it feels like you’re being repeatedly hit over the head by a hammer. So, hopefully, the audience is brought in by Kevin’s charm and fun, and that balances out the intense themes a bit.
What do you hope audiences leave with after experiencing this piece?
To realise we are all suffering and have suffered and it’s okay. And that through the darkness comes the light. And just to keep on keeping on, regardless. And also, I want them to leave with questions about humanity and how and why and who we are. I’m not asking for a lot. Hopefully, they leave feeling entertained for 60-plus minutes.
What’s the last thing that made you laugh backstage or during rehearsal?
I kept leaving the room to fart during rehearsals, in Dublin, because I’m a gentleman. And the funniest moment was me leaving the space for a second during tech, here in New York, and coming back in and seamlessly picking up where I left off. And our stage manager, Mary, was like “What just happened?” and I said “Oh, I had to fart”. They found it funny. I just kept going.
What’s next for the play after this run in New York?
We have a tour of three venues in Ireland: Project Arts Centre in Dublin 4th-14th June, The Mermaid in Bray 17th-18th June, and the Cork Arts Theatre 20th- 21st June.
Thank you, Kwaku, and best of luck as The Black Wolfe Tone continues its journey across Ireland.
Check out the review of The Black Wolfe Tone
Written and Performed by Kwaku Fortune
Directed by Nicola Murphy Dubey
May 1- June 1, 2025
Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, NYC)
Yani Perez, M.F.A., is a poet, playwright, translator, and educator. Her plays have been presented in various theaters in the United States, such as La Mama and Yale University, as well as internationally in Bogotá, Colombia. She works at IATI Theater, one of the oldest Latinx theaters in NYC. She is currently working on translations of Latinx artists in hopes of introducing them to English-speaking audiences.
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