Feelgood Theatre Productions announce the return of Slave: A Question of Freedom for a national tour in 2024.
This play bursts the myths of modern slavery and tells a little girl's story of hope and courage in the face of adversity.
Starting on the 9 October running until the 9 November, the production is showing at The Lowry Salford, Bristol Tobacco Factory, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Riverside Studios London.
Adapted from the autobiography of Mende Nazer, a member of the Nuba community originally from Sudan, and directed by Caroline Clegg, Slave won Best New Play Award (Manchester Evening News), the first Anti-Slavery Human Trafficking Award (presented at 10 Downing Street) and North West Review Best Director, Best Production and Best Actor Award in 2011.
Slave: A Question of Freedom, told with a remarkable 8 person cast, shines a light on the inhumanity of modern slavery and trafficking that takes place in towns and cities around the world today.
It is told in the voice of the writer Mende Nazer who eventually gained her freedom and is now a nurse.
Caroline Clegg, the artistic director of Feelgood Theatre said:
“In reviving and re-imagining Slave we hope to once again share the beauty of the Nuba culture and most importantly, raise awareness of the global crime of modern slavery and current conflict. Mende has asked me to use her voice to help others and my trip with her to the Nuba Mountains only served to redouble my efforts to do just that. This is more than just a play to those of us working on the production.”
The founder of the Human Trafficking Foundation and former MP, Anthony Steen said: “At a time when myths and misconceptions about human trafficking and modern slavery persist, it is vital to raise awareness of the realities of these dreadful crimes. Theatre productions are able to do just that by engaging an audience, many of whom would not have otherwise been aware of the extent of this issue in Britain and encouraging them to take action. We would like to congratulate Caroline Clegg and Feelgood Theatre in continuing their invaluable production, especially considering how greatly awareness of modern slavery still is 12 years after this play received its initial award.”
Mende Nazer, the original writer of the book Slave, said:
“My experience and my story is a personal story, but it touches so many people including our children, because I was a child when I was enslaved. I think my story will help other people who are still going through a similar situation and even worse with modern slavery. My story will raise awareness and alert so many people who still don't know what's going on in Sudan. I think it's about helping other people to see such critical situation and help those enduring that difficult time in their life.”
What the Press Say:
The Stage called it a "Powerful, heart-rending true-life story of survival ... touchingly realised" ... "This adaptation of Mende Nazer's autobiography about her experiences of being abducted from her village in North Sudan and sold into slavery is proof positive of theatre's ability to amplify a cause and help to enact real change."
"Powerful" ... "The cast are excellent, all taking on a variety of roles with rare enthusiasm. Yolanda Ovide is outstanding.. Mende laments that her autobiography is in in the form of written words and so does not accord with the oral tradition of her Nuba tribe. The powerful stage version of Slave: A Question of Freedom corrects that deficiency in style."
British Theatre Guide
"an ensemble of nine brilliant cast members each, adapting into different characters throughout the show and delivering an incredible performance. ...
Although all of the actors give fantastic performances, one individual who stands out is Yolanda Ovide, who does the real Mende Nazer justice with her convincing performance on the stage. Her rendition of Mende’s life left many people in the audience both in tears and stiff from the shock of the story." I Love MCR
"‘Slave: A Question of Freedom’ does not shrink from reality, it is a powerful personal story and a clarion call on behalf of all victims of slavery and trafficking today...
As the play progresses, we understand that this is not a story of the past, it is ongoing, with millions of people affected by the gaslighting and threats which enslavers constantly make to people with language barriers, little knowledge and no friends. The Modern Slavery Act 2015, which was the result of campaigning which included the first production of this play, has since been enacted to improve legal protections."
Spy in the Stalls
"This play could not come at a more apposite moment. Next week not only marks Anti-Slavery Day but the subject matter of this production - abduction and enslavement in Sudan - comes at a time when the sub-saharan country has been plunged into yet another conflict, with many girls and women the victim of modern-day slavery. ... Now based in the US and an anti-slavery campaigner, Mende's remarkable story is one of resilience and courage."
Quays Life
"For a small production, it had a major impact first time round being performed at the House of Lords and winning numerous awards including the first Human Trafficking Foundation Media Award. It is also widely credited with influencing the Modern Slavery Act which came into force in 2015." Bolton News
"Mende’s inspiring story – which inspired the BAFTA nominated film I Am Slave on Channel 4 – transcends borders and her voice beckons us to consider the essence of freedom, and to question why fifty million people around the world are enslaved today."
Business Manchester
Download and print your own folding 'Anti Slavery' leaflet
Weds 30 Oct - Sat 9 Nov
7:30pm / 2:30pm Matinees
Box Office
020 8237 1010
boxoffice@riversidestudios.co.uk
Symposium Thursday 7 Nov
Tickets from £10
for schools
Group Discount:
BUY 9, GET 1 FREE
Image Credit: Roger Moore Photography
The Cast
Meet the Cast & Team:
Mende Yolanda Ovide
Ba (Mende's father) Chris Jack
Kheko (Mende's friend) Ebony Feare
Damien Lewis (journalist) Joseph Jordan
Babo (Mende's brother) Oluwalonimi 'Nimi' Owoyemi
Umi (Mende's Mum) Teddy Oyediran
Kujur (wise villager man) Mohand Abdalrahem
Rahab (Mende's master in Khartoum) Sara Faraj
Juliana / Mende (understudy) Darlene Sanangurai
“The play's integrity and timeliness staged by Feelgood had the audience rapt.
Like Mende, we can and should make a difference by standing up and being counted."
***** MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS: Best New Play
Winner of:
The first Anti-Slavery Award (Human Trafficking Foundation)
Best New Play - Pete Postlethwaite Manchester Evening News Award | Arts Review Award for Best Director, Best Actress and Best New Play | Performed in the House of Lords 2011
Education Pack
Please feel free to download and use any of the following information, prepared as an informative Education Pack for schools:
Writer: Kevin Fegan, co-adapted by Kevin Fegan and Caroline Clegg from the autobiography Slave (Virago) by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis.
Director: Caroline Clegg
Creative Team
Designer: (2024) Lara Booth based on the 2010 original design by Nigel Hook
Composer: Carol Donaldson, MD: Dan Willis
Fight Director: Kevin McCurdy
Photographer: Roger Moore
Intimacy Co-ordinator: Tolu Oshodi
Production Consultants: Mohamed Bahari, Gaafar Ali & Mariam Shaw (Sudanese / Nuba culture & current affairs, accent & costume)
Thanks to Sponsors & Funders
Arts Council England, the Granada Foundation and The Stage Door Foundation.
