Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th October 2007
Mary Seacole Opera @ Sugar & Spice, in collaboration with Gyenyame and The Sage Gateshead. Venue: Central Nurseries, Whickham Highway, Lobley Hill, Gateshead. Forms part of a festival of music, theatre and exhibitions to mark the anniversary of the abolition of the slavery trade in Britain,
See also sugar and spice festival - Gatehead council

Wednesday 10th 1.00pm Mary Seacole schools performance in the Theatre Space
Wednesday 10th 7.30pm Mary Seacole in the Theatre Space
Thursday 11th 7.30pm Mary Seacole in the Theatre Space

The mould-breaking spirit of Mary Seacole is at the heart of this vibrant new opera, which is produced by multi-cultural opera and dance company Gyenyame. Richard Chew (composer) and SuAndi (libretto) fuse Caribbean musical influences with existing Western operatic traditions to create an inspiring and innovative theatre work for our new century. Gyenyame will also deliver a programme of workshops about the life of Mary Seacole to community groups and schools.

Telling the amazing and inspiring story of Mary Seacole, her life, and work saving many soldiers’ lives at Sebastopol during the Crimea war, this moving and very accessible opera is being revived especially for the Sugar & Spice festival. First performed to great acclaim in 2000, and playing to packed houses in the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House, London. Larry Coke, founder and artistic director of Gyenyame for Performing Arts, has worked at the Royal Opera House for over 30 years. He began the company to produce multi-cultural opera productions.

Friday 12th October 2007 - 1.00pm Newcastle Literature and Philosophical Society:
The Life and Achievements of Mary Seacole by Professor Elizabeth Anionwu. Professor Elizabeth Anionwu will describe the life and achievements of Mary Seacole (1805-1881), the Jamaican nurse who overcame discrimination to fund her own passage to care for soldiers during the Crimean War. She will also provide an update about the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal and then respond to questions and comments from the audience.

Venue: The Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE

FREE To book your place call: 0191 232 0192

Saturday 13th October 2007: 2pm - Mary Seacole: The Real Angel of the Crimea. Black History Month Family Learning Event, Imperial War Museum - Cinema: Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ - Nearest Tube: Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line).

Here is an opportunity to see this film first shown on Channel Four! Professor Elizabeth Anionwu, Emeritus Professor of Nursing [Thames Valley University] and Vice-Chairperson of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal, will introduce the drama documentary about the life of Mary Seacole. Free. For more details contact Liz Puddick, Community Learning Officer, Imperial War Museum.
Tel: 020 7091 3034 EPuddick@IWM.ORG