International theatre company Bilimankhwe Arts presents their new production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by artistic director Kate Stafford and designed by Hazel Albarn, on UK tour in Autumn 2017.
This powerful, passionate and magical production features stunning contemporary African choreography from Shyne Phiri, with an original soundtrack which samples traditional Malawian music. Full of humour and movement, the show is fast paced, urban and exciting.
The Tempest is about patriarchy, colonialism and power, with a multi-racial cast of Native English speakers for Prospero, Miranda, Ferdinand, Trinculo and Stephano, and Native Chichewa speakers for Caliban and Ariel. By bringing together artists from Africa and Europe, the company uses the best from both continents to both entertain and move audiences. The Tempest is supported by Africa Express and Arts Council England.
Bilimankhwe, set up in 2006 by Kate Stafford and Gideon Kagoya, uses contemporary British and African performance styles to challenge attitudes towards race and culture. Projects include; After Mikuyu, life story of dissident poet Jack Mapanje; Love on Trial, an adaptation of Stanley Onjezani Kenani’s Caine Prize nominated story; Brothers in Blood and Elusive Spring by Mike Van Graan, a collaboration with UK Arts International and the Afrovibes Festival. This year Bilimankhwe developed a Chichewa language version of Romeo and Juliet, which has been published and performed across Malawi.
