St Albans Windrush play aims to 'educate and honour heroes'

An actor in a show to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush docking hopes it will "educate, bring awareness and honour our heroes".

Mamley Djangmah, 28, will appear in Wind/Rush Generation(s), at Abbey Theatre, St Albans, Hertfordshire.

It will be presented by A Company of Ten Youth Production Studio as part of Black History Month.

She said: "It allows us to tell the stories and experiences of black people."

The play, written by Mojisola Adebayo, follows a group of first year history students who are troubled by a noisy ghost and try to contact the spirit.

They then come face-to-face with Britain's colonial past in a "rollercoaster ride as they confront this country's difficult imperial history of racism and prejudice", its producers say.

Ms Djangmah, whose family is from Accra, the Ga-Adangbe tribe of Ghana, said: "It's so important for the arts to support events like Black History Month.

"It allows us to tell the stories and experiences of black people - helping to educate, bring awareness and honour our heroes.

"I think the play addresses historical events in an interesting and accessible way for the audience."

Tina Swain, the manager of the Abbey Theatre, and co-director with Elena Markham and Sim Marsh-Henry, said: "While the play is about the Windrush generation, it's also about the history of racism and discrimination in this country, and how this has influenced society today.

"It's been a privilege to explore this important subject with a diverse young cast, who have shared their hopes, fears and lived experiences with us.

"It's certainly introduced me to some historical figures and events about which I knew little or nothing."

It runs from 25 to 28 October.

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