A new family play exploring themes of colonialism, identity and place will play at the Burton Taylor Studio at Oxford Playhouse in October.
The show, This Island’s Mine, was created by Bristol based theatre company Roustabout after working with 195 primary and secondary schools to develop it.
This Island’s Mine was informed by the thoughts and opinions of young people and is set in the magical and comic world of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
This Island’s Mine focuses on a debate between three inhabitants of an island - one of the first peoples (Ariel), a second generation religious refugee (Caliban) and a Western coloniser (Stephano) - who all believe the island is theirs.
A spokesperson for the production said: “This vital new play encourages young people to explore complex and sensitive issues of colonisation, immigration and national identity: Where do I belong? Where is my home? Is it truly mine?
"Filled with magic, music and mayhem, Roustabout presents a playful and daring exploration of the place we choose to call home, for children and their families.
“At a time when young people are questioning closely their own experiences, identities and education, the play's themes are more pressing than ever.”
The production will be supported by an online educational resource, created with experts, academics, creatives and young people, designed to ‘challenge, provoke, and stimulate’ debate around these questions.
The cast of This Island’s Mine is Robin Hemmings (Oi Frog & Friends! [Pins and Needles]; One Small Step [Oxford Playhouse]; War Game [Bristol Old Vic]) as Caliban, Kesty Morrison (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe [RSC]; Hamlet [The Globe]; The Price [The Young Vic]) as Ariel and Eleanor Pead (Why Would You [The Barbican]; Too Late [Market Theatre Hitchin]) as Stephano.
The Creative Team is writer and director Toby Hulse, associate airector Oliver de Rohan, designer Maria Terry, composer Tarek Merchant, lighting designer Jeremy Costello, sound designer Oliver Wareham, set builder Jonathan Attwood and prop maker Tish Mantripp.
The play was written and directed by Toby Hulse, who has twice won the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
This Island’s Mine was developed with support from Arts Council of England and Tobacco Factory Theatres, in partnership with the Cathedral Schools Trust, One Bristol Curriculum and University of Bristol.
The show runs on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October at both 11am and 2pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Oxford Playhouse website or call 01865 305305.
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