THE AMBER CHRONICLES 2006/7
Zion Arts Centre, Hulme, Manchester, Friday 20th October 2006
Unity Theatre, Liverpool, Saturday 21st October 2006
Programme
Africa My Africa
By David Diop
AudioVisual performed
by Tayo Aluko
Well of The Ancestors (Part 1)
By Curtis Watt
Hassi: Marcus Hercules
With members of the cast
Delphine's Epiphany
By Victoria Evaristo
Delphine Mary Sobers
Therapist Gareth McCann
Obatala Sean Cernow
Grand lya Oshun Deanne Lee
Well of The Ancestors (pt 2)
Old School
Written and directed
by Jeff Caffrey
Teacher Sean Cernow
Aaron Marcus Hercules
Rabbit Gareth McCann
INTERVAL
Well of The Ancestors (pt 3)
Half Moon
By Tayo Aluko
Esther Victoria Evaristo
Edward Gareth McCann
Fatima Deanne Lee
Nefertiti's Bust By Chanje Kunda
Zena Mary Sobers
Spirit Mary Sobers
Well of The Ancestors (pt 4)
End
The Writers
Tayo Aluko
Tayo Aluko is based in Liverpool. where he also works as an architect. He is also a classical baritone singer, having appeared as guest soloist with a number of orchestras, choirs, opera companies, choral societies and brass bands across the UK. Closest to his heart though is paying tribute to the African-American singer, actor and political activist, Paul Robeson, which he has done since reading his remarkable biography in 1995. His first full-length play, Call Mr Robeson is to be read at The Drum in Birmingham in November 2006, and he is currently working on a new play titled "Sugar Power" which looks at historic and contemporary uses of this important global commodity.
Jeffrey Caffrey
Jeff Caffrey trained as a graphic designer and since went into film and video production and scriptwriting. He helped to set up The Cultural Music and Media Association (CM2), later becoming a freelance promoter. He was commissioned to produce a script for Zion and Contact culminating in the production of 'A HOMEMADEME' (2001). He has completed several short filmscripts including 'Gas 'n' Air- and' The Lost Boy' and produced high production issue based films with young people including 'Smalltalk', 'Madhouse' and 'GROUNDED' which he also co-wrote.
Chanje Kunda
Since graduating, Chanje Kunda has had a prolific writing career. She has produced several plays, a collection of poetry and numerous articles for newspapers and magazines. As a professional performance poet she has worked with some of the most influential modern poets s uch as Benjamin Zephaniah Linton Kwesi Johnson and Lemn Sissay. Chanje has done over 50 professional performances of her own work, all over the UK and in Jamaica.
Curtis Watt
Curtis is a Liverpool born and based performance poet, actor and writer His writing career started when he co-wrote 'Land Rights' in 1992. as a reaction to the 500 year Christopher Columbus celebrations, telling of the atrocities that followed Columbus's landing. After graduation from SCOPA with a Diploma in Theatre Studies, Curtis started writing and performing his own unique style of poetry. Currently works with Windows Project, putting writers into schools and art centres. He is a guide on the Liverpool BOF (Biggest Oldest and First) history walk
Victoria Evaristo
Victoria Evaristo trained as an actress at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. As an actress she has worked with companies as diverse as the Oily Cart theatre company to Adzido Pan African dance ensemble. Her most recent work has been her self penned one woman Show Ma Joyce's Tales from the Parlour. She was short listed for BBC stages of sound new writing scheme in 1994. and had a monologue entitled " A Trifle for yuletide" produced for radio. She is an Acting Tutor at the Italia Conti Academy of theatre Arts specialising in Acting technique, Voice, Improvisation, Text, Physical theatre and Verse and Prose.
David Diop. France (1927.1960).
David Diop was born in Bordeaux France to a Senegalese father and Cameroonean mother. Despite his French upbringing and education, he spent his life longing for Africa and empathizing with the African plight against French colonialism His work reflects his hatred of colonial rulers and his hope for an independent Africa. He employed a colloquial style as a tool of popular protest. In 1960. Diop and his wife were killed in a plane crash returning from France to Dakar. Most of his work was destroyed with him in the crash, only the 22 poems that were published before his death remain.
Brian Morgan
Brian Morgan has over twenty years' experience as a writer, actor and director. He was Artistic Director One Step Theatre Company for 10 yrs He was also director of Contact Theatre Young Actors Company for 3 years- He received a BME Award for Directing and Nurturing Young Talent in 2005.
The Actors
Deanne Lee
Deanne has been involved in several performances at the Contact Theatre, Zion Arts Centre and other local venues in the past few years These include: Emergency (Green Room), Le Slate (Zion) So What Ya Saying (Contact) Making a Killing and many more. Deanne has also undertaken the role of director (Minority Report) and has been involved in drama drop-in at the Contact. Deanne has done also a sitcom for Channel M 'R U having a laugh' In addition to this Deanne has played a part in 24 hour party people.
Marcus Hercules
Marcus has just finished his one man show 'Different Perspectives' at the Contact Theatre. Some of Marcus's other theatre credits include Mr Charlie (Contact Theatre) and Cinderelisha (Library Theatre). His TV credits include: Shameless, Brookside. Northern Lights. New Street Law. and Holby City.
Gareth McCann
Gareth studied at Salford University. He has played Romeo, Macdaff, Duncan and the lead in a short film 'Chemicals Between Us'.
Sean Cernow
Sean's film and TV credits include. Yasmin (CH4), Buried (CH4). and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (BBC1). 24 Hour Party People (Revolution Films), At Dawn (Cling Films), Offending Behaviour (NW Films), New Shoes (NW Films) and Made in Britain (Open Eye). Theatre Credits include: In the Solitude of Cotton Fields (SAC London), Prince (Contact). the UK tour of Wiseguys (Red Ladder), The Street Trilogy (Theatre Absolute). Sean has also completed work on two plays to be shown at the Contact Theatre and a screenplay.
Mary Sobers
Mary has been involved in performing arts for a number of years. She has done a lot of performances at the Contact Theatre and Zion Arts Centre. Mary would like to extend her talents into television next.
Technical Assistants
Production Manager
Stella Okafor (Curtesy of Ruby Dee Productions Ltd. 0151 703 0900)
Stage Manager
Nicola Donithorn
Lighting Designer and Production Technician
Steve Bryan