A theatre director from Chester is taking a special production of one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays to Malawi.
Amy Bonsall – a specialist in international theatre – will travel to Africa later this month to stage four performances of Romeo and Juliet which has been translated into Chichewa, one of Malawi’s local languages.
Amy, who grew up in Chester and returned to the city in 2012 following stints at university and in London, said: “This is a particularly special production because it is the first time Shakespeare has been translated into Chichewa and published.
“This has the potential to not only entertain audiences but to aid thousands of students and artists in their studies.”
A production of Romeo and Juliet which Amy directed in 2012 and drew upon Malawian culture inspired her to go on and commission a poetic translation of the play for Malawians to enjoy.
Former Chester Catholic High School pupil Amy added: “Up until now there have not been any translations of Shakespeare published in any of the Malawian languages.
“We wanted people to read and see Shakespeare performed in their own language without them having always to see and read it in English.
“It is hoped that school students in particular will find this publication useful for their studies.”
Amy, who has worked with Chickenshed, Sherman Cymru in Cardiff and the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, will present a talk about the production at the University of Chester on May 18.
She and the London-based theatre company behind the production, Bilimankhwe, hope to take it to global arts festivals and the UK and welcome any interest in sponsorship partnerships.
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