Riverside Theatres to Present THE BAULKHAM HILLS AFRICAN LADIES TROUPE, 18-21 Feb

Riverside Theatres presents the return season of the uplifting and powerful production, THE BAULKHAM HILLS AFRICAN LADIES TROUPE, from 18th to 21st February 2015.

This unique Australian production tells the remarkable stories of survival from four inspiring women. Welcoming the audience into their worlds, the women turn their extraordinary stories into a joyous piece of theatre in celebration of humanity and resilience.

Stories include that of Yarrie Bangura who lost her childhood to civil war and grew up in a refugee camp in Guinea before becoming a writer and university student; and Aminata Conteh from Sierra Leone who was captured by rebels during the civil war before joining the United Nation's Refugee Agency as an ambassador.

The production will also include the story of Big Mama Rosemary Kariuki who fled her life in Kenya looking for a new start and became a community leader; and Yordy Haile-Michael who grew up in the Eritrean army before becoming a mother of four and discovering her dreams.

With the help of African performers, the four women are going to take this great opportunity to be who they want, say what they want and become as amazing as they can be. This is how they celebrate a new beginning in a land of refuge.

In 2013, the production was awarded Best Project at the Refugee Council of Australia's Humanitarian Awards and acknowledged at the Celebration of African Australian National Awards, which honours influential and outstanding African Australians.

Directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Ros Horin, The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe is produced by Racing Pulse Productions in association with Riverside Theatres and Belvoir and toured by Performing Lines. Developed in association with NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.

Following the Riverside season, this local production will tour internationally to the UK playing seasons at Nottingham Playhouse and the Women of the World Festival at London's Southbank Centre.

Writer and Director: Ros Horin; Performers & Devisors, The Women: Yarrie Bangura, Aminata Conteh-Biger, Yordanos Haile-Michael, Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe; The Actors: Nancy Denis, Imat Akelo-Opie, Effie Nkrumah; The Singer & Songwriter: Aminata Doumbia; Original Producer: Michelle Kotevski; Tour Producer: Pippa Bailey.