The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe

A co-production with Racing Pulse Productions & Riverside in association with STARTTS

Yarrie Bangura grew up in a camp in Guinea. She has recently finished her HSC. Aminata Conteh is from Sierra Leone. She is an ambassador for the UNHCR. Big Mama Rosemary Kariuki is from Kenya. She is a community leader and she knows how to live. Yordy Haile-Michael grew up in an army. She has four kids and lives in Lalor Park. They are one half of The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe and they would like to welcome you into their worlds.

In August on our Downstairs stage these marvellous women are going to turn their extraordinary stories of survival into a joyous theatre of humanity. But this is not just a show about what’s happened to the ladies. With the help of other African women – singers and dancers and actors – they are going to take this great opportunity to be who they want, say what they want, and become as amazing as they can. This is how they celebrate a new beginning in a land of refuge.

The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe is a celebration of women, human rights, laughter and resilience. With a bit of sage advice on hair care.

Performers & Devisors

The Women
Yarrie Bangura
Aminata Conteh-Biger
Yordanos Haile-Michael
Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe

The Actors
Nancy Denis
Tariro Mavondo
Effie Nkrumah

The Singer
Aminata Doumbia

The Dancers
Eden Dessalegn, Lisa Viola

Writer & Director Ros Horin
Associate Director/Movement Lucia Mastrantone
Set Designer Dan Potra
Video Designer Mic Gruchy
Associate Designer & Costume Emma Kingsbury
Songwriter Aminata Doumbia
Musical Director & Composer Basil Hogios
Lighting Designer Nicholas Rayment
Sound Designer & additional music Steve Toulmin
Filmmaker  Justine Kerrigan
Dramaturgs Yana Taylor, Natalia Savvides
Technical Programmer Phil Downing
Stage Manager Karen Faure
Assistant Stage Manager Gina Bianco
Producer Michelle Kotevski

Productions images by Heidrun Lohr

Production images from Parramatta season by Lisa Tomasetti

Supported by actor-dancers Nancy Denis, Tariro Mavondo and Effie Nkrumah, the four women are untrained but natural performers. They have real presence.

Jason Blake | The Sydney Morning Herald

The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe is a powerful, uplifting and humbling experience.

Jo Litson | jolitson.com

Sheer entertainment packed into a political powerhouse

Diana Simmonds | Stage Noise