John Newton, the English sailor who penned the anthemic ‘Amazing Grace’, is the focus of a stage production by Saltmine Theatre Company. The show will be performed at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, on February 5.
The world recently lost one of its most prominent advocates for the abolition of slavery and racial inequality; Nelson Mandela fought to rid his country of racial segregation, and earned his place on a list of figures who sought to protect fundamental human rights. Amongst these names is John Newton, an English sailor and Anglican cleric who penned the Christian hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.
The Saltmine Theatre Company are bringing their adaptation of John Newton - Amazing Grace to The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Wednesday February 5.
Newton was born in the eighteenth century and started a career at sea from a young age. After surviving a near death experience where the boat he was travelling on almost sank, Newton marked this occasion as the beginning of his conversion to evangelical Christianity, which later led to his writing of ‘Amazing Grace’. Thirty four years after retiring from the slave trade, Newton broke his silence on the topic and wrote a pamphlet detailing the horrific conditions of slavery and included an apology for his participation in such a cruel business.
Told through word, folk song, and physical theatre, John Newton’s remarkable life is brought to the stage in Saltmine Theatre Company’s new national touring production John Newton - Amazing Grace.
Over twelve months, Saltmine staged 460 performances of 18 different productions to around 82,000 children, young people, and adults. This new production portraying John Newton’s transformation from slave ship captain to church leader and author of the famous hymn is sure to leave audiences inspired.
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Tickets cost £13 with concessions available, and can be purchased from The Roses Box Office on 01684 295074 or online at www.rosestheatre.org.
Availability is limited.
