"1867" is a new play inspired by the legendary true life story of Madam C J Walker, America's first black self-made millionairess.
Following its sell out debut performance during Black History Month in 2009, this enthralling show now returns as part of RichMix's "Retrospective Season 2010". The 1867 play is a celebration of Madam Walker's life told through the character of Delilah MacAndrew, a courageous yet, on occasion, stubborn lady, whom you will possibly both admire and at times dislike too.
Born after the end of the American Civil War, the first member of her family of former slaves to be born free, by the age of 7 Delilah finds herself a penniless and illiterate orphan. She starts her working life as a laundry maid and at the age of 14 she marries a violent drunkard.
"1867" is the moving story of how she triumphs over adversity, battles against racial prejudice, breaks the gender boundaries of the late 19th century and sets up her own phenomenally successful hair and skin cream products business both selling and
making items especially designed for African-American women. By the time of her death in 1919 she has built the largest black owned manufacturing company in the world with over 15,000 employees.
Playwright, Theresa Roche, says: "RichMix, a hub of multi-cultural art, is the perfect venue for the 1867 play which itself is the result of an artistic collaboration between an Asian production company, a white playwright and a predominantly black cast".
"1867" is directed by Bollywood actress, Saima Duhare, who is also the founder of Palladini Productions, a company dedicated to a gold standard quality of production in theatre, film and television.
Dates for "1867": 18th - 20th February 2010 inclusive
Bookings: 020 7613 7498
Start Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: RichMix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Website: www.richmix.org.uk
Ticket Prices: £8/£10.00