Events

Warwick Arts Centre

Tierno Bokar

Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 June at 7.30pm, Sunday 26 June at 4pm

Venue: Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry
http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Box Office: 024 7652 4524

Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord presents
TIERNO BOKAR
a theatrical research by Peter Brook
Adapted from Amadou Hampaté Bâ’s book “Vie et enseignement de Tierno Bokar, Le Sage de Bandiagara”
Text by Marie-Hélène Estienne

Warwick Arts Centre, based at the University of Warwick, Coventry, presents the only UK dates of Tierno Bokar, a theatrical research by Peter Brook, from Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 June 2005.

Peter Brook’s Tierno Bokar visits Warwick Arts Centre, which also presented his productions of Le Costume (Feb 2001) and La Tragedie d’Hamlet (June 2003). Tierno Bokar opens on 22 June, for five performances only, following a major European tour and a month long residency at Columbia University, New York.

Peter Brook found the story of Sufi mystic, Tierno Bokar, in the writings of Amadou Hampaté Bâ, an African writer and preserver of the oral tradition whom he met in Paris. One of Tierno Bokar’s pupils, Bâ describes the life and teaching of this extraordinary man in his book “Vie et enseignement de Tierno Bokar, Le Sage de Bandiagara”. The story penetrates deep into an Africa impregnated with Islam, shaken by colonialism and torn apart by internal strife. Set in Mali during the 1930’s, the play describes the religious conflict that arises within a Sufi community over the number of times that a particular prayer is recited. Tierno’s spiritual humility in dealing with this doctrinal dispute sets in motion a series of events which lead to his ostracism and subsequent death. The unfolding situation, inflamed by the French colonial administration, eventually links a small African village to key political decisions of the French government prior to the Second World War.

An extraordinary theatrical exploration of the power of tolerance, Tierno Bokar is an empathetic elegy for a way of living which is crushed as much by French colonial domination as its own religious turmoil. Its theme vividly illuminates the question which concerns us all – the power of violence and the true nature of a tolerance that is more powerful still.

Tierno Bokar is played by experienced Brook collaborator, Sotigui Kouyaté. The international cast also includes Habib Dembélé, Rachid Djaïdani, Djénéba Koné, Tony Mpoudja, Bruce Myers, Abdou Ouologuem, Hélène Patarot, Dorcy Rugamba and Pitcho Womba Konga. Music is by Antonin Stahly and Toshi Tsuchitori, and lighting design by Philippe Vialatte.

Louis Brenner, Professor of the History of Religion in Africa at The University of London, offers four illuminating talks on Tierno Bokar prior to the performances at Warwick Arts Centre on 23, 24, 25 & 26 June.

Further Information :
Bridget Thornborrow (National Press) Tel 020 7247 4437 Email b.thornborrow@btinternet.com
Keri Wills (Regional Press) Tel 024 7652 3804 Email keri.wills@warwick.ac.uk
Press night Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pm