About the performance

The Moors Project is an examination of the influence of Western and English culture on Black people, the lasting effects of migration and the unexpected conflicts of interculturalism. It combines African folk music, traditional dance and ancient text with some of Shakespeare's most celebrated verse, featuring scenes from Othello, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest and Titus Andronicus. A visceral and emotional new play.

Key Personnel

Arne Pohlmeier - Director
Tonderai Munyevu - Actor
Denton Chikura - Actor

Production Information

Running time at full length: 90 Minutes

Suitable for age 12+

Medium use of text

No use of music

Requires a clear understanding of English

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for studio setting

Number of people on tour: 3

Number of performers on stage: 2

Available to tour Spring - Autumn 2011

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

As with all our previous productions, we will provide worshops on the subject matter and themes of this play: race relations, the difficulties of mixed heritage, migration and displacement. Combined with workshops on our celebrated working methods encompsing How to Work with Shakespeare, South African Township Theatre Modes, Appropriating Classical Text and Basic Theatre Skills. We have conducted over 90 sessions over the last 3 and a half years and supplement them with detailed talk back sessions after all our performances outside of London.

Company History

In 2008 we collaborated on a production of Two Gentlemen of Verona or Vakomana va Viri ve Zimbabwe to great acclaim and as the production gathered pace, we came to appreciate the striking township mode of theatre we were using and our collective understanding of life within migrant communities. This understanding was extended when we toured the production internationally which led to bolder and richer work as demonstrated in our latest productions MAGESTI and KUPENGA KWA HAMLET.

Recent Productions / Tours

Our inaugural production Two Gentlemen of Verona or Vakomana Vaviri ve Zimbabwe (2008) toured extensively in the United Kingdom as well as performances in London (Oval House Theatre), Africa (Zimbabwe, South Africa) and Europe (Poland, Germany, Hungary) and continues to be received enthusiastically with regular performances on the international circuit.

Kupenga kwa Hamlet (2010) repeated the same format and toured nationally and internationally as well as an acclaimed run at the Oval House theatre London. Magetsi, our new play receives its debut at Rich Mix in June prior to national and international engangements.

Reviews

AFRODIZIAK DECEMBER 2010: "The Oval House Theatre was full of rapturous applause and laughter throughout Kupenga Kwa Hamlet. The show transports Shakespeare's Hamlet to Africa with a few simple props that evoke your imagination. The performance is full of songs, dance and Shona (Zimbabwean language) which all adds richness to the text."

"A truly unique and remarkable show that leaves you thinking it had been intended to be performed this way. This is a beautiful fusion of Shakespeare and an African backdrop used to tell such an emotive story and told by two powerful actors. A great production by Two Gents Productions."