Music by Igor Stravinsky

Libretto by Titilope Sonuga

Directed by Tawiah M’Carthy

Sankofa: The Soldier’s Tale Retold reimagines Igor Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat in a new libretto by poet Titilope Sonuga. Through the journey of a fictional soldier attempting to enlist in WWI, this Soldier's Tale is set against the historical context of the No. 2 Construction Battalion — the only Canadian battalion composed of Black soldiers to serve in the First World War. In a psychological battle with the devil on the road to enlisting, the soldier embodies the battalion’s resilience and enduring struggle against racism, discrimination and historical erasure. Like the symbol of the Sankofa bird from which this story draws its name (a word in the Twi language of Ghana which means to go back and retrieve what was forgotten), this work blends past and future as the rhythm of Sonuga's poetry weaves through Stravinsky's original music. Sankofa is an invitation to honour a difficult history while moving toward a more promising future.

Cast:
Diego Matamoros, Devil
Wade Bogert-O’Brien, Devil understudy
Olaoluwa Fayokun, Soldier
Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Narrator

Musicians:
Graham Lumsden, Trumpet
Ken Kagawa, Trombone
Anne Murdocca, Clarinet
Wolfgang Scheitinger, Bassoon
Julia Mirzoev, Violin
Cameron Breiter, Double Bass
Andrew Busch, Percussion

Creative Team:
Andrew Burashko, Musical Director
Kevin Lamotte, Lighting Designer
Des’ree Gray, Costume Designer
John Gzowski, Sound Designer

Run Time: Approximately one hour, no intermission
Content Notice: Mature subject matter. Gun sound effects.
Age Recommendation: 13+

Co-prESENTED BY

Supported by

SM Blair Family Foundation

LOCATION

Harbourfront Centre Theatre
(231 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON )

Thursday October 24, 2024 @ 8pm

Friday October 25, 2024 @ 8pm

Saturday October 26, 2024 @ 2pm

Saturday October 26, 2024 @ 8pm

Sunday October 27, 2024 @ 2pm

Tickets on sale now

For media inquiries, please contact our publicist Katie Saunoris | KSPR - katiesaunoris [@] gmail.com

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