National Youth Theatre and Talawa Theatre
A new family adventure about hair, home and the power of connecting with roots in a contemporary Black, feminist twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel
Inspired by Zukiswa Wanner’s Southern African retelling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, this new take for young audiences transports the story from the Lesotho mountains to Tottenham and follows 12-year-old Refilwe on a visit to the British Museum to find a special loc weaver to maintain her hair. Joined by her aunty Agnus and new friend Tumi, the trio find themselves locked in the iconic London landmark after closing time where they bust their best dance moves, speak their wittiest riddles and flip their hair while uncovering more hidden powers and magic than they ever could have imagined. BOOK TICKETS HERE
Azieb Pool (BGAC) and director of Refilwe said ‘We’re so excited that our first original production is close to opening. Ours is a bold and brilliant retelling; we’re bringing all the power and politics of Zukiswa Wanner’s original reworking of Rapunzel, relocating it to Tottenham, and adding plenty of surprises.
This fun filled adventure for all the family looks at what is home and celebrates roots and marks the first original production from Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC), in collaboration with National Youth Theatre (NYT) and Talawa Theatre Company (TTC). The all-Black cast will be made up of some of Britain’s best young talent from the National Youth Theatre.
ALT HAS TEAMED UP with #BGAC to offer readers two pairs of tickets: to WIN ANSWER the following question: Who is the writer of #Refilwe? Send all answers to marketing @alt – africa.com MARK Refilwe 4th Dec by Midnight.
2 – 23 December:
- Bernie Grant Arts Centre, 2 – 10 December
- National Youth Theatre’s Workshop Theatre, 13 – 17 December
- Talawa Studio, 20-23 December
#Refilwe is a short story by award-winning South African journalist and novelist Zukiswa Wanner. Based on the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale about a princess locked in a tower who used her long golden hair to escape, Wanner’s story follows a similar plot but with a Southern African twist which was first published in 2014.
Michael Buffong from Talawa Theatre Company (TTC) said, “We are delighted to be working with Bernie Grant Arts Centre and National Youth Theatre, on this wonderful retelling of this classic story. There will certainly be a lot of fun and laughter, with our heroine Refilwe’’
Azieb Pool continued: “This is a joyous, Black, feminist retelling and we’re excited for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the show, after all, everyone can identify with the themes of hair, heritage and celebrating your roots.”
Running Time: 45 mins approx | Suitable for ages 7+
Company information
Writer Bisola Alabi, inspired by the Zukiswa Wanner’s Refilwe based on the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel
Director Azieb Pool
Associate Director Kalungi Ssebandeke
Assistant Director/Movement Director: Elsabet Yonas
Set and Costume designer Phyllys Egharevba
Lighting designer Luke Goodlit
Sound designer and Composer Mwen
Assistant Director and Movement Director Elsabet Yonas
Dramaturg Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong
Cast
Keitan Adediji
Christie Fewry
Eliezer Gore
Aliyah Lassey
2 – 10 December
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX
Wednesday 6th December 7pm
Mornings 11am except 3,5,6,7,10
Afternoons 12pm except 5,6,7,8,9
Afternoons 2pm except 3,6,10
Tickets £15 – 5, Pay What You Can
berniegrantcentre.co.uk | 020 8054 4447
Twitter/X @BGArtsCentre
Instagram @bgartscentre
National Youth Theatre is a creative home for thousands of young storytelling aged 11- 25 from around the UK.
Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC) is a unique multi-art form venue in Tottenham, North London, inspired by the vision of the late Bernie Grant MP. Talawa is the UK’s outstanding Black British theatre company. They champion Black excellence in theatre like no other. BOOK TICKETS HERE
By Bisola Alabi | Inspired by the short story by Zukiswa Wanner from the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm | Directed by Azieb Pool
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