National Youth Theatre present ‘Refilwe’

Inspired by Zukiswa Wanner’s southern African retelling of the classic fairy-tale Rapunzel, Refilwe is an ideal festive treat for families.

Refilwe plays 13th-17th December in the NYT’s Workshop Theatre, from 2nd-10th December at Bernie Grant Arts Centre and from 20th-23rd December at Talawa Theatre Company Croydon.

Paul Roseby Artistic Director and CEO of National Youth Theatre (NYT):

“As the desperate decline of drama in our schools continues, we’ve investing in the broken talent pipeline from the ground up, with new shows to excite young audiences, many of whom may never have been to the theatre before. It’s a real pleasure to collaborate with Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Talawa Theatre Company. We hope audiences young and old will be inspired by the power of live theatre and fresh young talent on our award-winning new stage”.

Rehearsal photos by Ellie Kurttz of Refilwe, have this week been released. Presented by National Youth Theatre, Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Talawa Theatre Company and written by Bisola Alabi the story follows 12-year-old Refilwe, her aunty Agnus and their new friend, as they use dance moves, riddles and magic hair to escape the British Museum after closing time.

Inspired by Zukiswa Wanner’s southern African retelling of the classic fairy-tale Rapunzel, Refilwe is a family adventure about home, hair and connecting with your roots, for audiences aged seven and older, with all performances presented in a relaxed environment.

The cast consists of exciting new talent from the National Youth Theatre: Keitan Adediji, Christie Fewry, Eliezer Gore and Aliyah Lassey. Alongside Alabi, Pool, and Ssebandeke, the creative team comprises Elsabet Yonas (Assistant Director/Movement Director), Phyllys Egharevba (Set and Costume designer), Luke Goodlit (Lighting designer), Mwen (Sound designer and Composer), and Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong (Dramaturg).

Azieb Pool from Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC) and director of Refilwe:

‘We’re so excited that our first original production is close to opening. Ours is a bold and brilliant retelling; we’re bringing all the power and politics of Zukiswa Wanner’s original reworking of Rapunzel, relocating it to Tottenham, and adding plenty of surprises. This is a joyous, Black, feminist retelling and we’re excited for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the show, after all, everyone can identify with the themes of hair, heritage and celebrating your roots. We’ve loved collaborating with the National Youth Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company and we can’t wait for the show to open. ’

Tickets are on sale here