Feelgood Theatre Productions
Slave – A Question of Freedom
The true story of a girl’s stolen childhood and her fight for survival.
Adapted by Caroline Clegg and Kevin Feegan from the autobiography Slave (Virago) by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis Directed by Caroline Clegg
In the heart of the remote Nuba Mountains of Sudan, life is still a good fire around which stories are joyfully told, until the men on horseback come. They murder and rape, burn the village and abduct the children to be sold into slavery. Twelve-year-old Mende was one of them. In 2000, after seven years she was passed on to a diplomat’s family and trafficked to London. She finally escaped only to face a new struggle for political asylum, and sanctuary.
This exceptional award-winning production tells Mende Nazer’s inspirational story. Performed by an outstanding ensemble of eight actor-musicians it is a feast of storytelling, music and dance. It celebrates Mende’s indomitable spirit, the beauty of the ancient Nuba culture, and as a famine of the inhumanity and horror of trafficking and modern slavery.
Mende’s story transcends borders and her voice beckons us to consider the essence of freedom, and to question why fifty million people around the world
are enslaved today.
Conceived and produced by Feelgood in 2010 for a national tour, this play was also performed in the House of Lords, won critical praise and many awards including: the first Human Trafficking Foundation Media Award
the Pete Postlethwaite Manchester Evening News Award, Best New Play
Arts Review Awards: Best Director, Best Actress and Best New Play.
Additional information
Symposium on Thursday morning at 11am.
A symposium: ‘Experts by Experience’
This thought provoking round-table discussion will explore the issue of modern slavery and the challenges faced, particularly by women, in negotiating a place of safety through the asylum system. It will be led by Dr Rubina Jasani from the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Unit at The University of Manchester alongside women from Women Asylum Seekers Together. WAST women are experts by their lived experience and will share some of their stories which resonate with Mende’s story in ‘Slave – A Question of Freedom.’
£5 per person for Symposium alone. Free entry to ticket holders.
CHECK OUT THE REVIEWS
“Feelgood turned Mende’s harrowing autobiography into an intense triumphant piece of theatre brilliantly conceived and executed.
Kevin Bourke, Manchester Evening News
“All the clichés of such survival stories are inadequate to describe the emotional impact of her eventual deliverance… told in Mende’s voice with great beauty”
The Observer
“Clegg and Fegan have created a show that is thoughtful, thought-provoking and ultimately inspiring.”
Helen Jones, WhatsOnStage 4 stars
