Details

The play charts the turbulent changes to Burkina Faso's political scene in the 1980s, following Sankara's successful ousting of the corrupt French imperialist rulers. Produced by the Kernel Theatre Company with an all-black cast of actors, the 90 minute production explores how Sankara's marxist and pan-African philosophy fight against the odious debt and imperialism, incurring the resentment of the Burkinab? middle class, the French colonial rulers and the world's political leaders. It also looks at the man's passion for justice and gender equality - he was the first African president to appoint women to his cabinet and he was amongst the first in Africa to promote mass vaccination and refuse foreign aid. 'Sankara's larger than life but little known tale of revolution, power and an early tragic death is Shakesperian in its magnitude. I wanted to share it with new audiences and raise awareness of the legacy of imperialism that continues to hinder the economic and social progress of many African nations' said Italian playwrite Dujany.

Cast/Performers

Joseph Akinola (Thomas Sankara), Chris Machari (Blaise Compaore), Lukwesa Mwamba), Chantal Compaore (Bimpe Adeyemo), Zayne Iyani (Henri Zongo), James Mbanefo (Jean Lingani / Charles Taylor), Peter Wells (Francois Mitterrand / Jacques Focart), Ricky Dujany (John Smith), Tony Mcpherson (Felix Boigny)

Creatives/Company

Company: Kernel Theatre Company