Yeah, I know it’s daggy to spruik your own mum’s performances, and I don’t really have to, since the play sold out even before tonight’s opening night but I just wanted to tell you a little about the African Theatre Project’s first staged storytelling My Name is Sud:

After being showcased at this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, Blacktown City Council’s African Theatre Project presents its first major production, My Name is Sud, written by Yuol Yuol, Akoi Majak, Monica Kualba and John Garang.

A family has escaped the conflicts of war in Sudan to face the conflicts of freedom in Sydney. Akoi dreams of being a writer. Her brother Machar struggles for a new identity. Their mother Kuei, fears losing her son to the”streets of Blacktown” and to his Australian girlfriend.

“My skin is black, my eyes are black. How can my parents fear I will lose my “Africaness”, I will always be black but in my own way.”

Blacktown’s emerging Sudanese community speak for themselves in this exciting work. Written by a youth ensemble of first time theatre writers, mentored by Blacktown Arts Centre’s African Theatre Project.

You can also read more about how the project has affected the lives of participants here. If you’re in NSW, you can also find out more about this project on tomorrow’s Stateline, which will feature the My Name is Sud cast and writers.

The play is sold out, but if you’re in the region there’s a waiting list and if you make enough noise, the season might be extended…or if you’re a Melbournite you could bid for the cost of my flight and ticket. Nope, I was joking: Mum would kill me.

Dates and details available here.