St Albans Windrush play aims to 'educate and honour heroes'

The show, Wind / Rush Generation(s), has been written specifically for youth groups

An actor in a show to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush docking hopes it will "educate, bring awareness and honour our heroes".

Mamley Djangmah, 28, will appear in Wind/Rush Generation(s), at Abbey Theatre, St Albans, Hertfordshire.

It will be presented by A Company of Ten Youth Production Studio as part of Black History Month.

She said: "It allows us to tell the stories and experiences of black people."

Mamley Djangmah said she wants to address "historical events"

The play, written by Mojisola Adebayo, follows a group of first year history students who are troubled by a noisy ghost and try to contact the spirit.

They then come face-to-face with Britain's colonial past in a "rollercoaster ride as they confront this country's difficult imperial history of racism and prejudice", its producers say.

Ms Djangmah, whose family is from Accra, the Ga-Adangbe tribe of Ghana, said: "It's so important for the arts to support events like Black History Month.

"It allows us to tell the stories and experiences of black people - helping to educate, bring awareness and honour our heroes.

"I think the play addresses historical events in an interesting and accessible way for the audience."

A casting call for "to recruit a youth company of 16-26 year olds went out" Tina Swain said

Tina Swain, the manager of the Abbey Theatre, and co-director with Elena Markham and Sim Marsh-Henry, said: "While the play is about the Windrush generation, it's also about the history of racism and discrimination in this country, and how this has influenced society today.

"It's been a privilege to explore this important subject with a diverse young cast, who have shared their hopes, fears and lived experiences with us.

"It's certainly introduced me to some historical figures and events about which I knew little or nothing."

It runs from 25 to 28 October.