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.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Two storytelling and creative writing workshops with Eric Ngalle Charles at Volcano Theatre in early March.

These two workshops hosted by Volcano will explore themes from the current theatre project Ble Mae Fy Nghartref, a new staging of Eric’s story about his experiences of racism in Wales and his understanding of identity, belonging and home.

• Thursday 5 March 11am – 1pm
• Thursday 12 March 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to become involved in film-making for the project. For those who wish to pursue their creative writing further, there will be additional opportunities through the Dylan Thomas Centre. All welcome, whether or not you came to the introductory session at the end of January. We especially welcome people seeking sanctuary, and others with experience of migration or displacement.

FREE ENTRY.  Light refreshments provided. Bus fares refunded for asylum seekers.

These workshops are a partnership between Eric Ngalle, Dylan Thomas Centre and Volcano, supported by Swansea Council, Welsh Federation of Museums and Galleries, Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales.

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About BLE MAE FY NGHARTREF
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.

There are several ways to get involved with the project. We would especially like to hear from people from refugee, Global Majority and displaced communities, and those with an interest in theatre, performance, or storytelling.

The project is centred around a Research and Development fortnight in March / April, funded by the Arts Council of Wales, with Eric and our director Paul Davies in the theatre at Volcano. This will include a public sharing of the work to date.

Want to get involved? We currently have auditions until 6 March by arrangement, open only to Global Majority performers.

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Or drop us a line.