Ragamuffin
By Amani Naphtali
Year staged: 1988
Opening night: 02/01/1989
Theatre Company: Double Edge Theatre Company
Staged in: Oval House
Cast Size: 9
Synopsis
Ragamuffin is a man on trial. In the ‘Supreme Court of Afrikan Justice’ he has been indicted for his role in criminalizing the black community. Now he is defended as a disaffected
revolutionary. Eventually he will be celebrated as a symbol of young black urban experience. During the course of Ragamuffin’s allegorical trial, the Court is asked to consider the
historical significance of the Haitian slave revolution of 1804 as well as the events leading up to the Broadwater Farm uprising. The parodic drama reveals the conflicting realities
for black youth in contemporary Britain and ultimately leaves the audience – aka the jury – to decide Ragamuffin’s fate.
Original Cast
Papa Levi
MC
Clare Perkins
Solicitor / Jean Marie / Young Woman
Pamela Maragh
Drummers / Judah
Daddae Harvey
DJ
Maureen Hibbert
Prosecutor / Juanita / Second Character / Mother
Glen Dallas
Councillor / PC Lacey / Cesar / Quadrophonic
Lysette Solomon
Clerk / Candide / Mama / Mrs Jarrard / Female Councillor
Shyro Cheung
Ragamuffin / Randolf / First Character / Haitian Soldier / First Young Man
Chris Tajar
KC Ragabone / Pierre / Youth / Male / Councillor
Papa Levi
MC
Clare Perkins
Solicitor / Jean Marie / Young Woman
Pamela Maragh
Drummers / Judah
Daddae Harvey
DJ
Maureen Hibbert
Prosecutor / Juanita / Second Character / Mother
Glen Dallas
Councillor / PC Lacey / Cesar / Quadrophonic
Lysette Solomon
Clerk / Candide / Mama / Mrs Jarrard / Female Councillor
Shyro Cheung
Ragamuffin / Randolf / First Character / Haitian Soldier / First Young Man
Chris Tajar
KC Ragabone / Pierre / Youth / Male / Councillor
Production Team
Amani Naphtali
Director
Connie Benjamin
Costume Design
Pamela E. Moragh
Choreography
Lorraine Woods
Design
Trevor Kanning
Designer
Carmen Wright
Lighting / Stage Manager
Amani Naphtali
Director
Connie Benjamin
Costume Design
Pamela E. Moragh
Choreography
Lorraine Woods
Design
Trevor Kanning
Designer
Carmen Wright
Lighting / Stage Manager
Additional Materials
Poster
Ref: BCA/Ephemera/374
Black Cultural Archives