Abolition

In 1792, Gabriel Gbadamosi's play Abolition takes place in Liverpool, London, and aboard the Blackamoor Jenny, exploring the dark and inglorious undercurrent of Enlightenment Britain's slave trade. It depicts a society conflicted and comfortable with the trade, with debates in Parliament and storms at sea.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Flipped Eye Publishing Limited

Set in the bustling merchant princes and cut-throat backstreets of Liverpool, amidst the grandeur of the Palace of Westminster in London, and aboard the Blackamoor Jenny, a guineaman embarking on its sixth African voyage to fill its fetid hold with human beings, Gabriel Gbadamosi's play, Abolition, unfurls a dark and ignoble undercurrent of Enlightenment Britain. Arresting and deeply troubling, Abolition presents us with the voices of individuals entangled in the original sin of slavery, struggling to survive it, profit from it, ignore it, or end it. Supported by meticulous research and remarkable fidelity to the language of its time, the play depicts a society that is both conflicted and remarkably comfortable with the trade in African bodies. In Parliament, there is heated debate over moral hygiene and economic turmoil within the ship of state, while at sea, the Blackamoor Jenny battles storms and depraved acts, driven by the ever-pressing imperatives of money.

Themes:

• Slavery and its impact on individuals and society.


• The complexities of human relationships and motivations.


• The role of power and privilege in shaping societal attitudes.


• The consequences of greed and exploitation.


• The struggle for freedom and justice.

Characters:

• John Newton, the former slave and abolitionist.


• William Wilberforce, the MP and campaigner for abolition.


• Sophia, a young enslaved woman.


• Captain Bligh, the cruel captain of the Blackamoor Jenny.


• Mr. Crusoe, a merchant prince and slave trader.

Setting:

• 1792, Liverpool, England.


• Palace of Westminster, London.


• Blackamoor Jenny, a slave ship.


• African landscapes and villages.

Style and Tone:

• The play employs a combination of historical accuracy and dramatic storytelling to convey its message.


• It uses powerful language and vivid imagery to evoke the emotions and experiences of the characters.


• The tone is often intense and emotional, reflecting the gravity of the subject matter.


• The play also incorporates elements of comedy and satire to highlight the absurdity and hypocrisy of certain societal norms.

Conclusion:

• Abolition is a powerful and thought-provoking play that sheds light on the dark history of slavery and its enduring impact on society.


• Through its characters and themes, it challenges us to confront the legacy of racism and oppression and work towards a more just and equitable world.


• It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of justice for all.

Dimension: 216 x 138 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781905233670