Romany Theatre Company in performance

South Norfolk Council is proud to announce that The Romany Theatre Company will be performing their musical show “Our Big Land” on June 2, in Harleston.

It is part of an ongoing process that aims to break down the barriers between the settled community and Gypsies and Travellers. The Norfolk Gypsy and Traveller Strategy highlights the need to do this.

Imogen Isern, South Norfolk Council’s Policy and Strategic Enabling Officer, who wrote the Strategy said:

“The aim of our work is to help create a better understanding of the issues that Gypsies and Travellers face.

“This performance - by the only Romany Theatre Company in the UK - is a unique opportunity to find out more about the Romany people. “Our Big Land” is an epic and fantastic event. The show takes us on a journey through India and Persia in the 10th century, to this country and turns a spotlight on the issues faced by Romany people today.

“We expect that the audience will be made up of councillors, council staff, school children and others who need and want to know more about the culture of the Romany people. So often negative stories swamp the reality. This is an attempt to redress the balance. We are all quick to condemn and fear what we don’t understand – the only way to improve understanding is to open our eyes and to learn.”

Daniel Allum, the Romany Theatre Company’s Director said:

“The Romany Theatre Company is looking forward to bringing the production to South Norfolk. We’ve just played two sell-out shows at the Pulse Festival in Ipswich and the feedback has been phenomenal. It looks like we may take the show on a national tour next year with performances at the Edinburgh Festival in August 2006. We are all very proud of the show.

“The cast of eight has been knocked out by the public response to the production. The Romany Theatre Company is an inclusive company who work with Romany people, non-Romanies and people from other ethic minority groups. One of our aims is to educate people about the Romany culture and history through exciting and innovative theatre productions.”

Council leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson said South Norfolk has a special interest in the Romany people:

“The largest ethnic minority group in the district is the Travelling community. We will continue to address the issues and fears of our residents, but we also want to find ways to help Gypsies and Travellers to become part of the community in a constructive way. Their lifestyle is different, but that should not make us condemn them. We must recognize that there have been families of Gypsies and Travellers in South Norfolk for many years.

“At times there have been difficulties, as there are in many groups in our society, but it is my personal hope that in time, with more knowledge and understanding, we will open our hearts and our lives to those of different races. And that we will treat everyone with equal respect and humanity.”

If you would like the chance to see the performance at 6.30pm in Harleston on June 2, there are a few tickets left. Please call James or Janice at the council on 01508 533753/783, as soon as possible, for all the details and to book your tickets.

Please note that entrance is by ticket only and the performance is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

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