Leading up to its independence in 1960, Cameroon, a West African nation, experienced over a century of colonial rule. Taken over by various European powers, in what is known as the ‘Partition of Africa’, societal structures would fall into accordance of the ruling powers that be. Inspired by her grandmother’s story, having lived in Cameroon during the little known ‘Bamileke War’ during the 1950s (the conflict’s duration was from 1955 to 1964), writer and director Clarisse Makundul presents Under the Kundè Tree – a piece placing a young woman growing up during this turbulent time at the fore. Ahead of the show, to be staged from the 24th May until the 27th June at the Southwark Playhouse, Clarisse tells us more about exploring this important narrative further, accessing our post colonial era and what audiences can expect from the show.
The media shapes how we learn about the issues of the day and dictates how we all manoeuvre. A powerful tool that forms ways of thinking and how our societies run. Almost a century ago, the General Strike of 1926 would grind many industries to a halt, a dispute that would see union workers demand better pay conditions lasting just over a week – with this, only a couple of news outlets – The British Gazette led by soon to be UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and The BBC, led by John Reith operating at the time. With one ending that same year, and the other going on to influence many up until the today, parallels to the early 20th century couldn’t be clearer. Drawing on this particular part of British history, writer Jack Thorne presents When Winston Went to War with the Wireless to show at the Donmar Warehouse from the 2nd to 26th June. Ahead of the production, performer Ravin J Ganatra talks about starring as influential figures, the Archbishop of Canterbury and J.C.C. Davidson – a British civil servant and Conservative party politician.
