Close shave with child-kidnapping rebel army drives actor's new production in Sheffield

An actor will draw on personal experience to tell the tale of a boy’s journey from childhood innocence to child soldier in a production at Sheffield Crucible studio.

By Gay Bolton

Published 16th Feb 2022, 05:30 BST

John Rwothomack stars in Far Gone (photo: Leon Ngeleka)

Far Gone is written and performed by John Rwothomack and will run in the intimate theatre space from February 17 to 26 2022.

The play is set in Uganda where a village is attacked by the Lord’s Resistance Army and two young lives are changed forever.

John said: “As a child I nearly got kidnapped by the guerrilla rebel group The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony in Uganda. As a result, I have committed myself to telling stories and raising awareness based on the experiences of my youth and providing representation for those not lucky enough to escape it.”

The production is by Roots Mbili Theatre, a company led by John who was among the first cohort of Sheffield Theatres’ talent development hub The Bank.

Tickets £20 at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call 0114 249 6000.