This autumn, Royal & Derngate will be hosting a new festival celebrating African, Caribbean and Black culture and creativity. Taking place in the run up to the theatre staging the world premiere of Inua Ellam’s play Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, AfroFest will be welcoming members of the local community into the Northampton town centre venue on Friday 11 September.
Bringing together artists of all kinds with local businesses, charities and community organisations, there will be stalls, exhibitions, talks and networking, with cultural food vendors including Velora Loaves and Joyous Cupcakes, in the theatre’s foyer spaces from 2pm. There will be live performances on the Royal stage from 5.30pm, by T-bone Afrika All Stars, Banke Naya, The Childish, and more. Exhibitors will include fashion designers like 5kwomen by Koyinsola and House of Dees, with African crafts from Tiptoe Ventures..
The event is being organised by Banke Adetumbi (also known by many people in Northampton as singer Banke Naya), who has recently taken up the role of Local Engagement Specialist (LES) for Fuel Theatre, in partnership with the Royal & Derngate team, reaching out to local communities in advance of Once Upon a Time in Sokoto being staged from the end of September.
LES Banke Adetumbi explains: “AfroFest is about creating a bridge – it’s an opportunity for African, Caribbean and Black communities to see themselves reflected in the theatre through local artists, performers, businesses and community organisations, while also inviting people from every background to celebrate and learn together. It’s about building connections, celebrating Black excellence, and showing that the theatre is a place for everyone.”
Banke added: “I thought it would be good to create something familiar in a space that can sometimes feel unfamiliar, giving people a reason to walk through the doors, experience the theatre in a different way, and hopefully feel encouraged to come back for productions like Once Upon a Time in Sokoto.”
The new play Once Upon A Time In Sokoto tells the epic story of an unlikely friendship forged between a slave and her former master. Differences in faith, culture and heritage are overcome in the face of new enemies, in a gripping family drama set against the backdrop of events leading to the creation of Nigeria. It is written by Nigerian-born Inua Ellams, an internationally celebrated poet, playwright and artist, perhaps best known the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles which played at the National Theatre before touring nationally and internationally.
AfroFest takes place at Royal & Derngate from 2pm till 9pm on Friday 11 September. Tickets are free and can be booked online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/afrofest or by calling Box Office on 01604 624811.
The play Once Upon a Time in Sokoto takes to the Royal stage from Monday 28 September to Saturday 10 October, before heading out to six other venues around the country as part of Touring Together partnership. More information can be found at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/once-upon-a-time-in-sokoto.
