Celebrated Copenhagen-based dance artist and choreographer Marianna Minasova has landed in Ghana with a purposeful mission: to bring her distinct artistic vision to the highly anticipated staging of Wole Soyinka’s iconic play Death and the King’s Horseman.
Minasova stars as the pivotal character Mrs. Jane Pilkins, seamlessly embodying the British colonial presence in this powerful cultural drama.
This engagement marks a significant moment as Minasova also lends her expertise to the choreography of the play’s intricate ballroom scene, collaborating closely with Ghana’s National Symphony Orchestra.
Her work blends sophisticated movement with live orchestral music, and traditional percussions and instruments, creating a dynamic intersection of dance and drama that enriches the storytelling.
Marianna explained her artistic approach: “While choreographing, I plan to create a collaborative process supported by the expertise of members from the National Dance Company specializing in traditional dance. I will weave together African and European movements, allowing them to unite, clash, and ultimately create a new expression. This will be a physical, cultural group conversation that enables us to reimagine our coexistence.”
Minasova’s journey to Ghana was inspired by the play’s profound cultural themes and her commitment to immersive, site-specific artistic engagement.
Bringing over 25 years of experience across classical ballet, contemporary dance, and cross-disciplinary performance, Minasova’s involvement elevates this production into a unique dialogue between African and Western cultural expressions.
Death and the King’s Horseman, directed by the very talented George Quaye, promises not only to honor Soyinka’s powerful narrative about duty, identity, and colonial tension but also to create an unforgettable theatrical experience enhanced by Minasova’s visionary choreography and compelling portrayal of Mrs. Jane Pilkins.
The play opens to the public on Saturday August 23rd at 4pm at the National Theatre with a second showing at 8pm and reruns on 24th, 30th and 31st of August at 4pmand 8pm each day.
For more information on the upcoming performances and interviews with Marianna Minasova, please contact Naa on 055 13 13 134 or email [email protected]
It is sponsored by Stanbic Bank, Bills Savings & Loans, The Luckiest and MTN!
Death and the King’s Horseman is an Imagebureau, April Communications and National Theatre collaboration.
