Equiano comes to Kingston

"A new play performed by the award-winning MeWe Youth Theatre. Written and directed by Ann-Marie Olufuwa, this enjoyable new work is based on the life of Olaudah Equiano who wrote a celebrated autobiography detailing his life in captivity and his fight to become a free man. Olaudah became an inspirational figure in London in the movement to abolish the slave trade. Adventurous, informative and uplifting! The performance lasts 1 hour ten minutes, followed by a short panel discussion with distinguished guests."

Date: Thursday 25 October 2007
Time: Matinee 2pm; Evening 7.30pm
Location: Arthur Cotterell Theatre, Kingston College, Kingston Hall Road, Kingston KT1 2AQ
Website; Email;  Phone: 020 8547 5409.

If you can't get there but are interested in the topic, I strongly recommend that you do not watch the movie Amazing Grace, now out on DVD (as I did recently, in the mistaken idea that it would be an interesting and educational family experience): it is among the worst films I've seen. The first scene involves Wilberforce seeing from his coach window two men beating a horse. He gets out and tells them to stop. One is about to attack him when the other says "Hang on, Jim [or whatever], I recognise that man, that's William Wilberforce. He's against slavery. Let's leave him alone". Wilberforce gives them a baleful look, gets back into coach: men are last seen patting horse and trying to help it stand up. It goes downhill from there. (Equiano does feature, but not meaningfully. I cannot bear to write any more on this time waster, though.)

Comments

[Norm]

I can highly recommend two fine films based on real events that show part of the history of slavery;

Amistad
Glory

[Clare]

Thanks for the tip on the Wilberforce film. I took a look at the trailer earlier this year and had my doubts. Have you noticed how all these trailers have the same booming voice-over? I strongly suspect it is the same man.

[Clare]

Thanks for the tip on the Wilberforce film. I took a look at the trailer earlier this year and had my doubts. Have you noticed how all these trailers have the same booming voice-over? I strongly suspect it is the same man.

[Ann-Marie Olufuwa]

I am the writer and director of 'Equiano's Cup'. I just came across your listing on Petrona publicising the performance last year. Thank you so much for doing this, I had no idea.

We are performing the play again at the Battersea Arts Centre on June 27th. I'd like to offer you a couple of complimentary tickets. Who do I speak to? please email me.

I will also avoid the film 'Amazing Grace' - you've confirmed my doubts about it.

Ann-Marie Olufuwa