Maroon Queen by Ariane Barnes was the first copyrighted theatrical production with an accompanying original musical score about the Maroons of Mauritius to be staged internationally, making it the first of it's kind.
After Lock down was declared in 2020 in the UK the piece was integrated into Ariane's educational female empowerment company Different Women.
The show served as an anchor for the innovation of the Afro Mauritian Dance technique TM, the only professional dance-theatre technique based in Mauritian heritage to be theorised and documented via academic writing.
Awards & Shows:
Winner of the Popelei Seed Commission 2018.
John Thaw Initiative Black-tress Season, 2018.
Arcola Labs Resident 2019.
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Maroon Queen was an innovative exploration of decolonial dance-theatre using oral history collected from locals, activists & UNESCO materials as source inspiration. The play's fusion of epic poetry, live music, Capoeira and verse enriched with French and Mauritian Kreol initiated a clarion call in the international theatre landscape, ensuring Mauritian Maroons were remembered and celebrated in the spirt of kreol rebellion.
Movement direction:
Nino Poncianho (Mojabu capoeira, BBC, Cats 2019 ).
Irineu Nogueira (Abeieie dance, Bambas festival, International Samba Congress).
Mauritian musicians: Daniella Bastien & Marie- Arlette Ramdana /AKA 'Samira'.
Direction :
David Furlong & Shante Campbell.
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PRAISE:
'Ariane's powerful but subtle verse shines a light on those much needed forgotten stories of women from our collective past- the world is richer for the telling of them, especially with such humour.'
Rosie Hilal, Artistic Director, Theatre Forge.
‘A vital look at identity and roots, told with inspired clarity by Ariane Barnes. This piece cuts through all expectations in it's first 20 seconds and has you hooked from then on.’
Jannik Archer, Audience Feedback.
'A brilliantly vibrant and powerful show. Ariane’s performance brings a historical story to life with urgency and vitality, and her writing is laced with wry humour and gleeful irreverence.”
Scarlett Plouviez Comnas, Associate Director, Popelei Theatre.