|
But
for the narrator it will mean the
all-important culmination of months
and months of hard work.
Local artist Yaw Asiyama is the brains
behind the play, which he wrote as a
tale of redemption visually expressed
through the means of dance, music and
artistic expression.
A
Slave's Story is an intimate and
spiritual expression that follows
eight generations of one family, whose
tale is passionately passed from
mother to daughter beginning in Africa
in 1781 until it reaches modern
metropolitan Britain in 2007.
 It is a
story of pain, tears, and brutal
punishment, as well as a story of
cunning, wit and ruthless survival.
Above all this is a story of hope and
most importantly - freedom!
"I felt driven to write this
play," Yaw explains.
"It had been living in my heart
and soul for a while... the emotional
reaction of all the players and
participators when we took the play to
small local theatres made me aware of
what we had. It became almost
compulsory we perform it again on a
bigger scale so that more people could
hear our story.
"Slavery was wrong but it has
happened. I cannot hold a man
responsible for the wrongs of his
ancestors, however with contemporary
knowledge and wisdom, the continuity
of such a wickedness to humanity is
un-forgivable.
"I cannot change the past... I
can however decide the degree of
impact those wicked times has on me
today. I can either be a victim of
history or a triumph despite
history."
Tomorrow's
performance at the prestigious venue
is a personal triumph for Yaw on more
than one level: It will also be the
first time that an all-black British
production will have been staged at
the venue.
"With Yaw Asiyama's work, we have
an opportunity to bring the black
experience into the mainstream,"
explained Roy Nevitt, Chair of the
Milton Keynes Theatre & Gallery
Company.
"His play will stimulate thought,
increase knowledge and understanding
of our country's past; move its
audiences with its humanity and, with
its positive and life enhancing
messages mediated through genuine
artistic expression, refresh the
on-going debate about the race
relations and contribution to social
cohesion."
An all-woman cast will deliver on the
stage, with a gospel choir, 20
professional dancers and a band of
seven musicians putting the golden
seal on a what promises to be a
memorable occasion.
A major production it is, but it comes
at an agreeable price - all seats are
£7.50, and show time is 7:30pm.
- Sammy Jones
|
