Tickets on sale now
Leading African theatre company Utopia Theatre is taking the uplifting story of a puppet girl “bursting with happiness” on a UK tour after securing additional Arts Council England funding.
Anna Hibiscus’ Song, adapted for the stage and directed by Utopia Theatre’s Artistic Director Mojisola Kareem from the book written by Atinuke, is set to take centre stage at nine venues through summer and autumn.
The participatory production has something for everyone to enjoy, and the tour draws on the success of the show first staged at Sheffield Theatres and in Yorkshire community venues in 2023. Last year’s production run was watched by thousands of children, families and adults; captivated by the unique story of happiness and self-discovery.
Told through music, dance, puppetry and traditional African storytelling, Anna Hibiscus’ Song is a theatrical adaptation of Atinuke’s popular children’s book which promises to have audiences beaming from ear to ear. Suitable for children aged 3+ and their families, the performances will be interactive and colourful throughout to bring the stage and story to life.
Anna Hibiscus’ Song celebrates and features authentic voices from the African diaspora in the UK to celebrate culture, heritage and the diverse makeup of modern families. Described by The Stage as a “joyous family show with song, dance and impressive puppetry” which is “bursting with happiness,” the performance dates for the 2024 tour are:
- Bristol Old Vic: 28 – 31 August
- Hull Truck: 3 September
- York Theatre Royal: 5-7 September
- The Maltings, Berwick: 11-12 September
- The Quarry Theatre, Bedford: 14-15 September
- CAST, Doncaster: 20-21 September
- The North Wall, Oxford: 28 September (Tiny Ideas Festival)
- Capital Theatres, Edinburgh: 3-5 October
- The Unicorn, London: 9-13 October
Anna Hibiscus’ Song, a Sheffield Theatres co-production which features live original music, will also be streamed from 14-20 October as part of Black History Month. Tickets can be purchased from today (Wednesday 8 May) and all details can be found at www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/project/anna-hibiscus-song-production-and-tour/
Utopia Theatre is a world-class African theatre company founded by Artistic Director and CEO Mojisola Kareem. Kareem said: “Anna Hibiscus’ Song gives audiences the chance to enjoy an immersive theatre experience, where the stage becomes Africa and children are encouraged to help tell the story with dance and song.
“Launching this nationwide tour is so special because I loved adapting this much-loved children’s book to the stage and was taken aback by how Yorkshire audiences last year were so captivated by the truly uplifting story of Anna Hibiscus’ Song. We are so excited to be working with so many fantastic venues across the UK to bring this to life once again and welcome more people to theatres.
“I’d like to thank the many people who have made this journey possible, including the brilliant production team and Arts Council England for their continued support. At Utopia Theatre, we’re on a mission to make theatre and arts much more inclusive and Anna Hibiscus’ Song is certainly breaking down barriers so that families from all backgrounds can enjoy the pure joy of storytelling together.”
Pete Massey, Director North, Arts Council England, said: “I absolutely loved Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke when I experienced it in Sheffield so it’s brilliant to hear that we have provided funding for many more people to see this wonderful tale about happiness. Utopia Theatre’s interactive stage version with fantastic puppets, music and dance has already enthralled and delighted thousands of children and their families. I’m really pleased that we have awarded £78,947 through our National Lottery Project Grants programme to enable the show to tour across England later this year, and I’m sure that new audiences will enjoy it just as much as I did.”
Tickets for Anna Hibiscus’ Song are on sale now, with dates being released in the coming weeks. To buy tickets, visit www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/project/anna-hibiscus-song-production-and-tour/
With video: Anna Hibiscus’ Song Trailer
With image:
Caption: Anna Hibiscus’ Song, adapted for the stage by Utopia Theatre’s Mojisola Kareem.
ABOUT ANNA HIBISCUS’ SONG
“Today we offer you a story of happiness. Of self-discovery. Of song. And of dance!”
This is the story of a young girl named Anna Hibiscus. Anna lives in amazing Africa. Ibadan, Nigeria to be exact.
Anna Hibiscus is so filled with happiness that she feels like she might float away. And the more she talks to her family about it, the more her happiness grows! There’s only one thing to do…Sing!
Told through music, dance, puppetry and traditional African storytelling, this theatrical adaptation of Atinuke’s much loved children’s book will have you beaming from ear to ear.Told through music, dance, puppetry and traditional African storytelling, this theatrical adaptation of Atinuke’s much loved children’s book will have you beaming from ear to ear. For children aged 3+ and their grown-ups.
About Utopia Theatre
Utopia Theatre is a National Portfolio Organisation formed in 2012 to create exceptional world-class African theatre with imaginative flair for the British and international stage. We produce old and new plays and re-imagine classics in a way that demonstrates their contemporary relevance and appeal to a new audience and regular theatregoers. The company synthesises African and Western performing traditions to celebrate the meeting of different cultures, with programmes aimed at developing and promoting writers and performers from the African diaspora. The company is dedicated to demonstrating the rich cultural heritage of Africa’s theatre canon, and in so doing, dispel stereotypes and encourage authentic voices from the African Diaspora.
Founded by CEO and artistic director Mojisola Kareem-Elufowoju, the charitable organisation aims to empower and engage African communities, support emerging artists and inspire the next generation. Utopia Theatre also uses African theatre as part of storytelling in schools and communities and hosts digital theatre.
Utopia Theatre also launched its own Youth Academy in 2023, which runs performing arts classes and workshops for 9 to 19-year-olds alongside a programme of mentoring and training. It is the first of its kind in
Sheffield, providing opportunities for young people of African and Caribbean descent, as well as those from other minority groups. The academy nurtures the skills of young people with African oral storytelling and performance techniques, including talent development, career advice and opportunities; in particular targeting children with lower levels of engagement. By breaking down barriers, the academy supports young people to be confident future leaders. For more information, visit www.utopiatheatre.co.uk
About Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 we will invest over £467 million of public money from Government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk
