A work-in-progress dance musical adaptation of prize winning author Alex Wheatle’s celebrated novel, based on the remarkable true story of Tacky’s Rebellion, an uprising of Akan slaves against the British that took place in Jamaica in 1760.
“Alex Wheatle writes from a place of honesty and passion with the full understanding that change can only happen through words and actions.” Steve McQueen, Director (Twelve Years A Slave, Small Axe)
With the support of National Lottery Heritage Fund, via Bath Preservation Trust and Beckford Tower Trust, the performance is the outcome of a year-long R&D project that supports the company in working towards a full scale dance musical adaptation of this ground breaking novel. Significantly, enslaved people from William Beckford’s Esher estate joined in the rebellion, which almost engulfed the whole island. Alderman William Beckford, one time Lord Mayor of London, was the father of William Beckford of Fonthill who built the tower now known as Beckford’s Tower in Bath.
For this performance the dancers will be Deborah Baddoo, Bawren Tavaziva, Michael Joseph, Theophilous Alade, Nosiphiwo Samente, Bafana Matea and Camron Youngsam.
