************************* Last week members of Cannon Lee's Young Ambassadors group took on the task of reviewing the York Theatre Royal/Riding Lights Theatre Company production of AFRICAN SNOW and here is what they had to say about the production - Review of African Snow Charlotte Angove Canon Lee Specialist Arts College Y9 Young Ambassador This story is all about two very different people caught up in the slave trade. Olaudah Equiano and John Newton were on opposite sides of slavery. Olaudah was brought up in Africa, taken away with his sister by slave traders; where as John Newton grew up to be the Captain of slave ships. After their own troublesome journeys through life, shown in the play, they eventually turn the same way …fighting against slavery. It was a great trouble but finally, after ten years, in 1807, the treaty was signed for the abolition of slavery. Olaudah Equiano was acted by Israel Oyelumade, a graduate from RADA. His father was played by Mensah Bediako, who also played a sailor, and a Quaker merchant. Antonia Kemi Coker played Olaudah’s mother, cook and Miss Guerin. Emmanuella Cole played Olaudha’s sister, Newton’s wife and Miss Guerin. Newton was played by Roger Alborough. Rex Albano played Captain Michael Pascal, Naval Officer and Angel. Kenny Thompson played two sailors, a slave and a British Naval Captain. Chris Jack played two sailors and William Wilberforce. The thing I really liked about this production was the set. The moving wall was very effective when indicating where everyone was, and in what conditions. Also at times, the actors created a great atmosphere. This was shown by the silences in sad scenes and the laughter whenever it was needed. What I though was not good was the actors having so many characters. At moments, it was hard to tell who the actors were playing. One minute someone was playing a sailor, the next a lady or a slave. It was a bit confusing at times, especially as the play did not finish until quite late and everyone was getting tired. Review of African Snow By Sam Nariani, Young Ambassador On Tuesday the 18th of April 2007, I went to see African Snow at the York Theatre Royal, with the Young Ambassadors. The play was skilfully written and allowed the audience to engage and understand the characters’ feelings and emotions through superb acting. It was a dramatic and exciting experience and one not easily forgotten. African Snow was written by Murray Watts and directed by Paul Burbridge. The play captures the stories of Olaudah Equiano, played by Israel Oyelumade, and John Newton, played by Roger Alborough. Gradually, their two paths entwine as John begins to realise the extent of the horror of the slave trade and writes the song ‘Amazing Grace’. Olaudah, however, has come to England after buying his freedom from his slave owner. Olaudah campaigns against the slave trade and writes a book about his experiences growing up as a slave. It is a story of horrors and disasters and makes you realise the terrible impact of the slave trade and how many people were affected. John, however, is at the other end of the slave trade: a captain of a slave ship ‘The African’. On this ship the twist of the play is revealed and the terrors of Olaudah’s past are exposed. John changes his beliefs and this is when he writes the song Amazing Grace. Together Newton and Equiano campaign against the slave trade with William Wilberforce. Throughout the evening the play captures the audience’s attention by using African dance - Murray Watts’ play proves to be a real spectacle. African Snow Young Ambassador Dominic Houlison Canon Lee Specialist Arts College African snow tells the story of two very different lives intertwined together. The 160 minute play surrounds the harsh reality of the slave trade, and brings it just a little closer into perspective. However, Israel Oyelumade who portrays Olaudah Equiano says, “You can never understand what it’s like to be in the hold of a ship,” having to eat, sleep and function in your own faces. The title of the play, ‘African Snow’ could have two interpretations. The first being the ‘Snow’ ship which was used to transport black slaves from Africa, and in particular ‘The African’ in which John Newton was Captain. The other interpretation is that it demonstrates a clear separation and divides black from white, highlighting the inhuman treatment of the black culture by the white race. At the age of eleven, Olaudah Equiano and his sister were kidnapped, separated and sold into the slave trade. Equiano was given the name Gustavus Vassa, after a 16th century king, by the slave ship’s captain named Pascal. Eventually, Equiano was able to buy his own life back and become free once more. He then wrote his motivating autobiography, after learning to read and write at a London school between his naval duties. His book was eventually read by Yorkshire MP William Wilberforce, which inspired him to begin the abolition movement. John Newton, played by Roger Alborough, was a well respected preacher. However when Newton was younger he was forced into becoming a slave trader and soon became a captain of many slave ships. After realising the intolerable conditions on board, Newton became a minister of the church and an abolitionist. He is best known today for the inspirational Hymn Amazing Grace, which in the play is performed in a rather unique way and is given new life in an arrangement by the show’s composer Ben Okafor. The highly versatile set allows the characters to move from London, Africa and the deck of a ship, with some scenes performed on and behind the mobile set used as rigging. A wonderful obscurity is captured by Ben Cracknel’s shadowed lighting. The use of the under-foot lighting illustrates a sense of inhospitable fear. African Snow is the first co-production between Riding Lights Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal. The show will be going on tour to Mold, Birmingham, London, Hull, Bristol and Brighton The highly textural script leaves the inspiring African word ‘Ikenga’ deeply engraved in you mind. This means strength of the masses. African Snow Joe Woodhouse Canon Lee Specialist Arts College Year 8 Young Ambassador African Snow is a play based on two main characters in the 16th century. John Newton; the Captain of slave ships, his main concern was money and possessions. By selling his possessions he could make money. Only one problem; his possessions were people, to be more specific, African slaves. Olaudah Equiano; a normal boy who lived with his family in Africa. His father was a chief. Olaudah and his sister were kidnapped. The storyline follows Olaudah, who undergoes many changes as a slave, one being changing his name to "Gustavus Vassa". It is about his rise and fall - working hard, succeeding, only to be cheated out of money. The storyline also follows John Newton, who also underwent big changes, from being the ruthless Captain of slave ships to becoming a Christian. Their stories come together towards the end of the play when, in their later lives they both become abolitionists against slavery. John Newton realised the wrongs of his old life, and Olaudah continued to fight for the freedom of slaves. I enjoyed the play myself. I think the actors seemed to mean what they were saying, as if they really were the character. Nobody stumbled on their words, or came in at the wrong time, so they all seemed to be very familiar with the script. I think the sound and lighting was very good and the voices were clearly heard all the time. The lighting helped emphasise who was talking on a stage and it also reflected the time of day well. The size of the audience didn't seem to put the actors off either, the audience was pretty big, but they weren't embarrassed or anything, which was good. I would recommend African Snow to anybody who would like to find out more about the slave trade and how it got abolished. **************************