On Wednesday 10 June 2020, the scholar James Nwoye Adichie died in Nigeria. Three months later, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the acclaimed author of Half a Yellow Sun and Americanah, published a beautiful tribute to the father she loved ‘so much, so fiercely, so tenderly’, a poignant meditation on the meaning, impact and nature of grief, in the New Yorker. Out of that essay grew a book, which was published in May 2021.
Director Rae McKen takes Adichie’s words and transfers them to the stage in this new production, starring Michelle Asante, Uche Abuah, and Itoya Osagiede, Notes on Grief a space for those who have experienced loss to gather and reflect, and a powerful and timely MIF21 world premiere.
Notes On… are two new artworks inspired by Notes on Grief and informed by the contributions of 50 Manchester residents. Made up of positive affirmations designed to uplift, console and unite those who have experienced loss and grief during the pandemic, the installations can be seen in Festival Square and in the foyer at Manchester Central throughout MIF21.
