Mary Prince - The woman who helped end slaveryBorn into enslavement in Bermuda 1785. Mary went on to become a British autobiographer and abolitionist. Her book The History of Mary Prince (1831), was the first account of the life of a black woman to be published in the United Kingdom. This first-hand description of the brutalities of enslavement, released at a time when slavery was still legal in Bermuda and British Caribbean colonies, had a galvanising effect on the anti-slavery movement. It sold out three printings in its first year.
She was the first woman to present an anti-slavery petition to Parliament, testified at two libel cases after the book was published but isn’t mentioned in British records after 1833. 
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SOLD
Produced by Kuumba Nia Arts
& Unlock the Chains Collective "Every so often there is a piece that touches the soul. SOLD is one such show" Musical Theatre Review "Euton Daley directs a resonant piece, the show both educational and entertaining to experience" Reviewer “SOLD is an intimate, involving experience, flawlessly directed by Euton Daley who creates an atmosphere that grips from the start” Reviewer SOLD – Winners: Best Performer and Best Supporting Performer in a production – OFFIES 2022 Best Show – Birmingham Fest 2021 Show of the Week – Vaults Festival 2020 Best Ensemble, Musical Theatre Review Award – Edinburgh Fringe 2019 Produced by Kuumba Nia Arts & Unlock the Chains Collective SOLD is inspired by words from the book ‘The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave, Related by Herself’. It was published in England in 1831 and relates her life from her birth under enslavement in 1785 through her ordeals as a child and adult under each ‘owner’ who bought or traded her. After three editions of the text was published it became influential in Great Britain’s Slavery Abolition Act in 1833 after which Mary’s destiny is unknown. She dropped into obscurity until recent years and in 2012 Bermuda recognised Prince as a national hero naming a public holiday in her honour on June 18th. In 2024, on the International Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade the UN held a meeting to galvanise action-based efforts focusing on the issue of reparatory justice. Chef de Cabinet Mr. Rattray observed that ‘Commemoration is not enough. Eliminating discrimination requires action”. Using traditional African Griot drumming, storytelling, song and dance, Mary’s story is told with authenticity, tenderness and wit. SOLD has been received with enthusiasm wherever it has been performed. Cast and CreativesKuumba Nia Arts
Kuumba Nia Arts was founded in 2009 to bring African and Caribbean peoples’ histories and contemporary stories to life through theatre and film. Their storytelling theatre form is a fusion of drama, song, dance and ritual linked to Caribbean and African roots. We celebrate and explore the black experience in all its shades, sharing universal stories through an Afro Caribbean lens. Amantha Edmead – writer, performer and producer Amantha is an actress and drama practitioner and founder of Kuumba Nia Arts. She trained at Guildford School of Acting and studied Dramatherapy at University of Surrey Roehampton. Her theatre and television credits include: Talawa, London Bubble, Nu Century Arts, Little Angel, The Orange Tree, EastEnders, Doctors, Casualty and BBC's Song Catcher. Locally she has worked with The Story Museum, Unlock the Chains Collective, Chipping Norton Theatre and UnderConstruction Theatre. www.kuumbaniaarts.com Angie Amra Anderson - drummer and performer. As a dancer, choreographer, Singer, Actress and percussionist, Amra has acquired a vast performing experience and is one of the UK's top African arts practitioners. She co-founded the award-winning Ekome National Dance Company, England's pioneer African dance group and has been an invited guest/teacher/performer in Europe, Scandinavia, Jamaica, Haiti, Ghana and Nigeria. She has performed with artists such as Peter Gabriel at WOMAD (World Of Music & Dance), Fela Kuti, Osibisa and the infamous Zairean guitarist Franco. www.amraproductions.com Euton Daley MBE – dramaturg, director and producer Freelance artist, mentor and producer, Euton has nearly 40 years experience working in the arts. Having developed and managed Pegasus Theatre specialising in youth and community work for over 20 years, his focus is now on producing new work and being a performance poet and DJ. His latest book #Ending the Silence was published in 2018. Unlock the Chains Collective explores performance poetry as a theatrical form and is committed to bringing Black history and experiences to life through creative and artistic performances, activities and events. He was awarded an MBE in 2008 for his services to the Arts and Young People. www.eutondaley.com Ayo-Dele Edwards - vocal coach and song arrangement Lati Saka - choreographer John Sailsman - producer |
