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The Powder Monkey
A Transatlantic Opera 

Composer Errollyn Wallen
In partnership with Opera North

 
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"The performance was stunning! I believe for many people in the audience it was their first experience of Opera. Lots of people were commenting how accessible the performance was. It would be great to bring the performance back to Newham next year."

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Mohamed Hammoudan, Director of Resident, Engagement and Participation  

London Borough of Newham

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​Chukwunenye, an African Igbo boy, is the powder monkey born on a slave ship and one voyage away from buying his freedom. As the slave ship nears port on the ‘middle’ passage there is an uprising by the enslaved and he must choose which side he will take; his people or his freedom?

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Set on board a slave ship in 1788 the opera places the Black male character of the ‘powder monkey’ centre stage of a diverse cast and integrates live performance, music and animation. The Powder Monkey opens the borders of the opera form by drawing on the traditional music of West Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the folk forms of North of England and maritime creole work songs to reflect the diverse and often hidden histories that have made contemporary Britain.

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The Powder Monkey was a response to the problematic representation of enslaved peoples at the Atlantic Gallery National, Maritime Museum. We staged the performance at the centre of the museum to contest the marginalisation of the hidden voices in the opera.

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Supported by:  Arts Council England, Opera North projects and the PRSF Talent Development Fund, The National Maritime Museum, Cockayne and the London Community Foundation, Ambache Trust, The Fidelio Trust, Bernarr Rainbow Trust, Kaye Pemberton Charitable Trust, Unity Theatre Trust, University of East London

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brolly E X C H A N G E
 

More than the stage

Newham Town Hall Three events as part of Black History Month​​

The Powder Monkey - A New Opera by Brolly Productions & Errollyn Wallen MBE

Fri, 1 November 2019 

7pm

Set on board a slave ship in 1788 this powerful, visually stunning new opera engages with the ‘sensitive’ history of Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and places the Black male character of the ‘powder monkey’ centre stage of this diverse cast.

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'The Powder Monkey' - Open Opera Rehearsals for Schools

Fri, 1 November 2019 

1.30pm – 2:30pm

Have you ever wondered what goes into putting on an opera? Come and find out at East Ham Town Hall, as we rehearse 'The Powder Monkey' a new opera composed by Errollyn Wallen MBE. Students will get a behind the scenes understanding of our creative process, and have the opportunity to speak to the creative team and artists.

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'The Powder Monkey'- Behind the Scenes at The Opera

Sat, 2 November 2019 

12:00 – 12:45 

Come and find out what goes into putting on our new opera 'The Powder Monkey' by Brolly Productions and Errollyn Wallen MBE at Newham Town Hall.

Hear extracts from the opera with live singers and musicians, meet the cast and creative team and share your thoughts on the sensitive histories of the transatlantic slave trade dramatized in the opera. If you’re interested in learning more about making music, writing, singing, performing and stage design we’d love you to come and meet us. We’ll talk about how we made the show and our creative process.

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International Slavery Remembrance Day 2017
Stage I : R&D National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Past productions:
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 2025 illustrated and designed by brolly

 the greener
Opera
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Guantanamo Boy
Powder Monkey
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