A NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN ERIC NGALLE CHARLES and VOLCANO

In the summer of 2001, as he entered his house at 212A Clive Street in Grangetown, Cardiff, writer Eric Ngalle was subjected to a racist attack by six people—two white, two black and two mixed-race men. When he regained consciousness, his nose was patched up, and the nurse, Miss Papodopoulis, welcomed him and said, “We are lucky to have you. it was touch and go.” He had been under anaesthesia for five days. This traumatic event, along with a more recent incident on the 11th of November 2023 while returning from his event at the Hay Castle, has deeply influenced his understanding of racism, identity, and home.

These two incidents form the seed of this new collaboration between Eric and Volcano Theatre.

It begins with a conversation – where is my home? Who owns the narrative in travel writing? What does Britishness mean? Through stories, memories, and memory triggers,we will explore these questions, encourage discussions on racial integration and diversity, and pour waters on the flames and bile of hatred that seems to be possessing our cities and streets. “When two elephants fight, it is genuinely the grass that suffers.’’ Politicians are stoking these flames of hatred. We must meet their vitriol head-on.

We will host these conversations at Volcano, beginning in January 2026. We would like to welcome creative people living in Swansea and beyond – especially those from refugee, Global Majority and displaced communities, and those with an interest in theatre, performance, storytelling or writing. You do not need to be a professional.

A little later on, in February/March, we will be looking for some of the people who have been involved in these conversations to participate in a Research and Development fortnight, funded by the Arts Council of Wales, with Eric and our director Paul Davies in the theatre at Volcano, which will include a public sharing of the work to date. 

Interested in joining the conversation? PLEASE DROP US AN EMAIL and we will be in touch.