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Tewodros

Year staged: 1987

Opening night: 28/10/1987

Theatre Company: Black Theatre Co-operative; 1979

Staged in: Arts Theatre

Cast Size: 9

Synopsis

The play follows Kass Tewodros as he rises t become Emporer Tewodros II of Ethiopia.

From a young age, Kassa dreams of the cries of a burning monk and the convent schoolmaster speaking to him with the words of God and Abraham. His desires are to “unite the broken pieces of broken Ethiopias. After he is labelled a terrorist by the Empress of Gondar’s Army General, Kassa flees into the forest with Princess Tewabeth. Soon, a battle breaks out between Kassa’s followers and The Empresses legions, led by herself. The battle results in Kassa becoming Emperor Tewodros II, and all the enslaved people of Ethiopia are freed. This angers many neighboring countries and Kassa quickly makes an enemy of the British Empire. Soon, “Kassa had to taste the bitter cup of revolt”. After some battles and the capturing of Fort Magdala, the British Army led by General Napier makes a request for Kassa’s unconditional surrender. In fear of the shame that would be brought upon his country, and in the interest of his family, he sends away his son before shooting himself with a pistol.

Original Cast

Janet Kay

Cast

Victor Romero Evans

Cast

Calvin Simpson

Cast

Joy Elias-Rilwan

Cast

Chris Tummings

Cast

Faith Ingle

Cast

Chris Lajah

Cast

Lenny Algernon Edwards

Cast

Anthony Ekundayo Lennon

Cast

Janet Kay

Cast

Victor Romero Evans

Cast

Calvin Simpson

Cast

Joy Elias-Rilwan

Cast

Chris Tummings

Cast

Faith Ingle

Cast

Chris Lajah

Cast

Lenny Algernon Edwards

Cast

Anthony Ekundayo Lennon

Cast

Production Team

Jatinder Verma

Director

Nigel Pravavalka

Designer

Jatinder Verma

Director

Nigel Pravavalka

Designer

Additional Materials

Link to Playscript

Playscript

Ref: MPS 3533

British Library

Link to Press Reviews

Press Reviews

Ref: TFRS220

Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive

Link to Press Cuttings

Press Cuttings

Ref: THM/77/2/108

V&A Theatre and Performance Collection

Link to Playscript

Playscript

Ref: FH/BTF/P/S/4022

Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive

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