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Ade Solanke
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Ade Solanke's hit play Pandora's Box returns for UK National Tour.
Following sell-out shows at Arcola Theatre, the acclaimed, award-winning British-African family drama, Pandora's Box, embarks on its long-awaited UK tour from 12th September 2014.
This 'touching, hilarious' (The Stage) hit play has been dazzling audiences with its 'enthralling, brilliant' (Public Reviews) story and performances.
“You think England is hard? Compared to Nigeria? My dear, you haven’t seen anything yet!”
Summer break is ending. On holiday with her streetwise son in Nigeria, a British-Nigerian mother is in turmoil. Should she leave her only child in a strict Lagos boarding school, or return him to the battlefields of inner London?
“What do you see out of that window? People, right? Just people. Because there are no ‘Black’ people in Africa. Let him experience that for a change.”
A family spanning three generations and two continents meets in Lagos for the first time in over thirty years. But the joy of reunion also unleashes long-suppressed truths. An exuberant and thought-provoking mix of comedy, tragedy and family drama, Pandora’s Box reveals the heartbreak behind the difficult choices some parents must make – and the price their children pay.
The tour visits The Black-E, Liverpool, the Lowry, Salford, Bradford Theatres, Seven Arts, Leeds, Sheffield Theatres, The Drum, Birmingham, Southampton Hub Theatre, and Carnival Arts Centre, Luton. London venues are Millfields Arts Centre, Broadway Barking, Catford Broadway, Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Bussey Building.
Recently nominated for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Africa's biggest literary award, and nominated for Best New Play, OffWestEnd Awards, this un-missable and moving tragicomedy about families, betrayal, choices and love is a must-see. Winner Best Play, Nigerian Entertainment Awards and Best Playwright Afro-Hollywood Film Awards, it's suitable for all the family. Tickets from £8.
There are also a number of family participation events, including creative workshops with artists and panel discussions on educating African heritage kids, with Diane Abbott MP, Prof Osita Okagbue of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Richard Taylor OBE, Founder of the Damilola Taylor Trust. Further details at: www.sporastories.com.
Pandora's Box is generously funded by Arts Council England and the Unity Theatre Trust. It was first showcased by Tiata Fahodzi at the Almeida Theatre and has been developed with the kind support of Goldsmiths College/AHRC Pinter Centre, the Peggy Ramsay Foundation and The Damilola Taylor Trust. The tour has been developed with support from the Jon Harris Partnership, Tara Arts and Tiata Fahodzi.
The production is supporting the Sickle Cell Society as its chosen charity.