New take on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel Refilwe opens at Bernie Grant Arts Centre this Weekend

Refilwe is a new family adventure for younger audiences inspired by best-selling author Zukiswa Wanner’s Southern African retelling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel. The production moves the story from the Lesotho mountains to Tottenham North London where 12 year old Refilwe visits the British Museum to find a hair loc weaver for her hair. After becoming locked in after closing time with her aunty Agnus and new friend Tumi, they uncover more magic and hidden powers than they could have imagined.

The show looks at hair, home and connecting with your roots and is the first production from Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC), in collaboration with National Youth Theatre (NYT) and Talawa Theatre Company (TTC). The all-Black cast will be made up of some of Britain’s best young talent from the National Youth Theatre.

Azieb Pool from Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC) and director of Refilwe said ‘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. ’

Refilwe opens at Bernie Grant Arts Centre on 2nd December until 10th. It then goes to the National Youth Theatre 13-17 December and Talawa Studio 20-23 December. For more go to https://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/