One of Northern Ireland's leading independent theatre companies is preparing to stage an explorative new play about modern slavery and human trafficking.
'Silent Trade' is written by award-winning Belfast playwright Rosemary Jenkinson and directed by Kabosh Artistic Director Paula McFetridge and explores the story of a young woman trafficked to Belfast
After three years of discussions on staging a piece on this issue, the new production will perform at the Lyric Theatre from February 22-26 and in venues across the country from February 28 to March 5.
Read more: Liam Neeson congratulates Belfast theatre after winning top UK stage award
It is described as "a deftly crafted and exposing new production unveiling the alarming rates of human trafficking and domestic servitude reported in the north".
Kabosh said: "You wouldn’t know it at first, but it’s happening. Amongst the immaculate lawns and shiny new Audis of a leafy Belfast suburb.
"Hidden away behind the noise and the chaos of a rowdy student street.
"Trapped in the familiar anonymity of an isolated farming town. The quiet figures manipulated between houses.
"The human beings exported and imported in a market that’s anything but free. The Silent Trade that’s booming in the north."
The play stars newcomer, Nigerian-born and Dublin-based Lizzy Akinbami as Precious, a young Nigerian woman, who has been trafficked to Belfast and forced to work as an unpaid domestic servant and later a prostitute.
The cast also includes Seamus O’Hara, who stars in the Oscar and BAFTA-nominated short film An Irish Goodbye.
Seamus plays an officer from the PSNI Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit.
Well-known character actor James Doran plays brothel-keeper Rab with Louise Parker joining as two key roles - Erin, a rich woman who forces Precious to clean her luxury East Belfast home, and Suzanne, a Belfast prostitute who befriends Precious.
For more information about Silent Trade and ticket information, see here
READ NEXT:
Young NI actors wanted for new Sky movie filming in Belfast in 2023
Watch: 'Maggie Muff' to take her final bow after 10 years of performing in NI
James Nesbitt makes surprise appearance at pantomime's closing night
Theatre group secure rights to perform one of world's most famous musicals in NI
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
