A Question of Freedom
A hard-hitting, award-winning play about the horrors of modern day slavery is coming to the Unity. The subject is so pertinent, there will even be an academic conference running alongside the performances. Feelgood Theatre bring their production Slave – A Question of Freedom to Liverpool from October 4 to 8. Based on the book Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis, the play tells the compelling real life story of a young women’s account of being sold into slavery and her subsequent fight for freedom. A cast of eight international actors (including Liverpool actor Joe Speare) present Mende Nazer’s story as a dynamic theatrical feast of storytelling, music and dance celebrating the ancient Nuba culture and Mende’s indomitable spirit. Mende’s young life was shattered when aged 12 her village in Sudan was attacked by raiders and she was sold into slavery and then later trafficked to the UK, where she worked as an unpaid housemaid. She escaped and now lives freely in London. Slave - A Question of Freedom had its world premiere at the Lowry in 2010, and went on to win the Pete Postlethwaite Manchester Evening News Best New Play Award 2011, and the Arts Review 2010's best play, best director and best actress.It was also performed in the House Of Lords. The show’s themes are also highly pertinent: remarkably, slavery continues to be a major international problem with child trafficking a growing ‘industry’. There are currently around 23 million people trapped in slavery, ten times more than at the height of the transatlantic slave trade. The play’s director Caroline Clegg says: “Although this is one person’s story, Mende’s story is universal, giving voice to the voiceless, dispelling the myth that slavery ended 200 years ago. Slavery exists underground, outside the law and outside the United Nations Convention of Human Rights. This show packs a serious punch, but Mende’s indomitable spirit in the face of adversity shines through and challenges us all to make a difference”. There will also be a conference in collaboration with John Moores University on Thursday October 6, titled The Voice of Modern Slavery. For tickets and more information, visit the Unity's website. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms4iYsOjEqg?wmode=transparent]
