The Trial of Dhegdheer: a Somali folktale is the inspiration for a new community opera bringing together communities of Butetown & Grangetown in Cardiff

Robert Fokkens in the first community rehearsal of The Trial of Dhegdheer

A new community opera The Trial of Dhegdheer, to be performed in Grangetown in Cardiff on Saturday 13 June takes a Somali folktale as its inspiration. The folktale, about a terrifying cannibalistic ogress with one exceptionally long ear, offers a way of presenting a wide range of perspectives, from the complications of recycling bags to carriages of injustice and features communities of Butetown and Grangetown alongside professionals, with community participants as jurors, witnesses and the Judge.

Contemporary opera company Music Theatre Wales (MTW) and Fio theatre company are coming together for the event which will be directed by Fio artistic director Mathilde Lopéz, returning to opera following Out of Her Mouth, her 2023 piece on Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre with Mahogony Opera and her 2022 production of Carmen at Longborough Festival Opera. The artistic team also includes includes  poet, community activist and actor Ali Goolyad, electronic pop and soul producer/singer songwriter Eadyth, musician and producer Ani Glass and South African contemporary music composer Robert Fokkens. Design is by Gerald Tyler and Dotty Squibb with Gerald Tyler also providing construction and technical facilitation.

Gweneth Ann Rand who also performed in MTW and Fio’s The Jollof House Party Opera, will join the community cast in the central role of Dhegdheer along with local baritone Thomas Coltman as the Prosecutor and the performance will culminate in the traditional Somali singing form of Buraanbur led by Ifraax.

Further information from the TicketSource website.