MOTHERLAND UK TOUR 8 SEPTEMBER - 6 OCTOBER 2007

Sampad in association with Tara Arts presents the UK tour of 'Motherland: A story of being and belonging', a cross cultural South Asian and African production which premieres at the Birmingham Rep on Saturday 8th September and then tours nationally, until Saturday 6th October at Oval House Theatre, London. This uplifting dance theatre piece features dance, live music and spoken word to celebrate the diversity of modern Britain. Motherland is being presented to remember the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

Beginning in 21st Century Birmingham, Motherland spans 200 years of history from the perspective of two people, one Asian and one African. It traces their ancestors’ experiences from the plantations of Trinidad to the colonies of South Africa and India. Motherland is a story of love, conflict and resolution and looks at the intercultural lives of people over two centuries with high energy Indian and African drum beats fused with powerful vocals in a specially commissioned score performed live on stage.

The diverse cast and creative team were brought together by Creative Producer and Director of sampad, Piali Ray. Piali has worked as a director and choreographer for numerous productions including Ramayana at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre. Piali Ray says, "Motherland encapsulates much of what we value, the joy of freedom, the innocence of love, the power of the human spirit and the deep sadness of loss. It tells the story through movement, music and words that echo the many and vibrant cultures of Birmingham where we are now. It is also the story of how we got here."

Jatinder Verma, Artistic Director of ground breaking South Asian theatre company Tara Arts, has worked with writer Tunde Olatunji to create a lyrical script that contrasts human stories with global events on a vast scale.

The exciting cultural influences in Motherland are the result of an eclectic team of choreographers drawn from a range of traditional and contemporary disciplines. Zimbabwean born Bawren Tavaziva works alongside Delhi based Santosh Nair's energetic martial arts inspired Indian dance style. This unique dynamism is complemented by the theatrical approach of Mamata Shankar, of the legendary Shankar dynasty.

The ensemble of live musicians is united by composer Praveen D Rao who has produced a score reflective of the broad cultural influences of this work. The musicians perform on stage, playing a range of traditional Indian and African instruments.