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 |
