DIRECTION (APRIL—JUNE 2023)

Paradise. Home of 10-year-old Darling and her friends: four children on the edge of innocence. A playground overflowing with mischief and games where they imagine countries a luxurious life away from theirs in Mugabe's Zimbabwe.

But when Darling moves to Michigan, the western world she encounters as a teenager is far from the American utopia of her dreams...

Based on the novel by the first Black African woman and first Zimbabwean to be Booker Prize-shortlisted, this defiant coming-of-age story is full of exuberance, humour and humanity.

A FIFTH WORD THEATRE and NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE co-production in association with BRIXTON HOUSE THEATRE.

CAST.

MUNASHE CHIRISA, ANASHE DANAI, PRINCESS KHUMALO, TATENDA MADEMOMBE, LUKWESA MWAMBA + KALUNGI SSEBANDEKE

CREATIVES.

Adapted for the stage by MUFARO MAKUBIKA

Director MONIQUE TOUKO

Assistant Director JORDI M. CARTER

Movement Director RICARDO DA SILVA

Set & Costume Designer INGRID HU

Lighting Designer ADAM KING

Composer TENDAI HUMPHREY SITIMA

Sound Designer ED LEWIS

Stage Manager ALYSSA WATTS

Production Manager ALISON WILLCOX

REVIEWS.

★★★★ “The range of acting by the brilliant cast took me through such a range of emotions that this play will certainly be one I won’t forget in a hurry!” — Afridiziak

★★★★★ “Humorous and horrifying in equal measure, the show was a thoroughly engaging experience from start to finish.” — LondonTheatre1

★★★★ “Director Monique Touko keeps the tone lively with this tough story of Mugabe’s Zimbabwe in which the actors switch race, age and gender with ease.” — The Guardian

★★★★ “a powerful exploration of the migrant tale through the lens of a child. It’s a note-worthy coming of age story that touches on politics, racism and mental health in a sincere and authentic way.” — The Rendition

★★★★ “a wonderful look at the idea of belonging and is equally as heart-breaking as it is uplifting.” — All That Dazzles

★★★★ “a powerful theatrical experience.” — Salterton Arts Review