Once Upon a Time in the Life of Arambe: A Personal Reflection

Abstract

Arambe Productions, founded in 2003, is Ireland’s first African theatre company. This chapter reflects upon the 2005 original production, Once Upon a Time, a seminal moment in the company’s creative journey, and an important one for African artists living in Ireland at the time. With the benefit of hindsight, and from my unique personal perspective as Arambe’s artistic director, I examine the different stages of the developmental project and how it enabled Arambe to achieve its dual aim of introducing Irish audiences to the African theatre tradition and providing a platform for Ireland’s African immigrants to identify, nurture and showcase their artistic talents.