Art, Films and Television

Performers of the musical 'Africa's Hope' are all survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

This piece of theatre looks back on their memories of the horrors they experienced, the reasons why it happened and the importance of tackling prejudice and racism.

Gloria Tengera, actress

Between April and June 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days.

Most of the dead were Tutsis - and most of those who perpetrated the violence were Hutus.

'Very universal'

The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre is just one of four venues across the UK where this musical will be performed.

Hope Azeda, from Mashirika and Aegis, is the artistic director of the musical.

"These things are happening somewhere in the world and I can try to stop them. It's not a Rwandan thing, it's very universal.

"It happened in other countries before it happened in Rwanda and it can happen to anybody."

Gloria Tengera plays a girl who was raped during the killings.

"It's challenging, because you have to keep your emotions intact but at the same time, you have to play the part because people have to know exactly what happened during that time."

This musical is regarded as a major coup by Steve Elliot the director at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre.

"It's life affirming stuff. It's theatre that we just don't get in Taunton normally.

"It's something very unusual, we're very very lucky to have it."