A SOMERSET drama company will be bringing its new play ‘NZINGABETH! Or When Ana Met Viriginia’ to Frome’s Merlin Theatre this month.
‘NZINGABETH! Or When Ana Met Virginia’ is a new play from Taunton-based arts and education initiatives, Storytree and The Bluebirds, and Exeter-based Four of Swords. It will be performed at the Merlin on Sunday 30th April.
It portrays a fictitious, musical meeting between Elizabeth I of England and the proud African Queen Ana Nzinga. It poses questions on race, gender and politics, but is also designed as a treat for the senses; expect wig-swapping, sumptuous costumes and great music.
Sasha Herriman from The Bluebirds is producing the show, and also plays Elizabeth I. She devised the idea for NZINGABETH! from an Elizabethan cabaret show.
Sasha explains, “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.”
Gloria Lawrence, whose company Storytree has taken her into schools across the south-west as a singer and story-teller, is playing Nzinga.
“As a British-born black woman,” says Gloria, “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 Ana Nzinga is less well known. She was an interesting character who 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 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 time of elevated tensions.”
NZINGABETH! is supported by funding from Arts Council England.
The performance at the Merlin will be from 7.30pm on Sunday 30th April. Tickets cost £14.50 or £8.50 concessions. To find out more or to book contact the theatre on 01373 465949 or www.merlintheatre.co.uk.
