The Story
African Snow is the meeting of two men – cast from opposite
sides into the hell of the slave trade. The English sailor,
John Newton, is well-known as the converted slave-trader who
gave the world its most famous hymn Amazing Grace. But, as
one might expect from the quiet racism of the history books,
less prominence is given to Olaudah Equiano, whose
extraordinary story has been confined to a footnote or
totally ignored.
Equiano’s ascent from the hell of a slave ship to become the
leading black voice in the British abolition campaign is one
of the most compelling and moving stories of any era. Both
men survived to write remarkable accounts of their
experiences and were urged by Yorkshire MP William
Wilberforce to testify before parliament in the eighteenth
century campaign for abolition. Together, Equiano and Newton
seem to provide the most cogent argument in winning the
political battle.
Is bringing them face to face beyond the scope of human
reason? Can victim and abuser ever be reconciled? African
Snow takes us to the heart of the human condition, to the
place where two men are compelled to confront one another.
Why Perform This Play Now?
March 25 2007 marks the bicentenary of the Act, passed in
the House of Commons, abolishing the Trade in African
Slaves. But 1807 was one victory in a battle that has
intensified. In 1807 there were 4 million slaves worldwide…
today there are over 20 million.
Production Team Behind
African Snow
African Snow is the first co-production between York theatre
companies Riding Lights and York Theatre Royal. African Snow
was originally commissioned and is supported by the Church
Mission Society, founded in 1799 by representatives of the
abolitionist movement including William Wilberforce.
Why Should You Watch African Snow?
“Here’s a play that turns history into a pulsating human
story. It could be yours. It could be mine. We begin to
understand the past when we recognise that it is about real
human beings like us. That way we better understand not only
where we have come from but what we are doing now and where
we are heading.”
Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York
TICKETS
Aged between 11 and 25? Live in any London
Borough?
SEE
AFRICAN SNOW AT HACKNEY EMPIRE FOR £1
To all who view this page, please go and see African Snow. I can assure you this is a very well constructed and important piece of theatre that you will not regret seeing. Well worth your money.
Click
here to download your voucher
