Theatre / Four Of Swords
Preview: Nzingabeth!, Redgrave Theatre
This provocative new play, brought to you jointly by Taunton arts and education initiatives Storytree and The Bluebirds and Exeter’s Four of Swords, portrays a fictitious, musical meeting between Elizabeth I of England and the proud African Queen Anna Nzinga – and in the process “poses crucial questions on race, gender and politics, but is also designed as a treat for the senses; expect wig-swapping, sumptuous costumes and great music”.
Producer Sasha Herriman (The Bluebirds), who is producing and plays Elizabeth I, devised the show from an Elizabethan cabaret show. “I was doing Tudor cabaret when I discovered the story of Nzinga. I instantly knew I wanted to put her and Elizabeth together. I was fascinated by the fact that in both Europe and Africa, women were able to take the reins of power against all odds.”
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Gloria Lawrence, whose company Storytree has taken her into schools across the south-west as a singer and story-teller, plays Nzinga. “As a British-born black woman, growing up I never knew black history existed! With this play, I can redress the balance. I want to show there are many black role models through history: not only as slaves and victims in chains, but as strong, intelligent leaders.”
Elizabeth is an historical figure who needs little introduction in this country, but Anna Nzinga is less well known. She successfully played Dutch and Portuguese colonial powers off against each other, and, much like the Mother of Dragons in TV’s Game of Thrones, led an army of freed slaves.
The director of the production is Philip Kingslan John, co-founder of Exeter-based Four of Swords, which specialises in multimedia adaptations of classical stories. “I was excited by the chance to write and direct something entirely original, and also incredibly relevant to today. Nzingabeth! is all about the kind of conflicts we are feeling in this post-Brexit era of elevated tensions.”
Queen Anna Nzinga (c. 1583 –1663) was queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Angola. She came to power as an ambassador after demonstrating a proclivity to tactfully diffuse foreign crisis, as she regained control of the Portuguese fortress of Ambaca. She assumed the powers of ruling in Ndongo after the suicide of her brother. Today, she is remembered in Angola for her political and diplomatic acumen, as well as her brilliant military tactics.
Nzingabeth! Thursday, April 27, Redgrave Theatre. 7.30pm, £14/£8 concs. For more info and to book tickets, visit nzingabeth.wordpress.com and redgravetheatre.com/event/2017/04/nzingbeth/114
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