Sparked by the discovery of a series of letters from his father in Nigeria to his mother in Wales, The Gods Are All Here is a compelling, funny and warm, one-man performance from first-class storyteller, Phil Okwedy. Phil, in association with Theatrau Sir Gâr will perform at the Torch Theatre on Friday, 27 January.

This captivating storytelling show, funded by the Welsh Government, skilfully weaves myth, song, folktales and legends of the African diaspora with an astonishing personal story that uncovers Phil’s experiences of growing up as a child of dual heritage in 1960 and 70’s Wales. 

Charting the time of life when children are said to view their parents as gods, but never having actually lived with them, Phil from Cardiff but raised by his long-term foster mother in Pembrokeshire considers if his parents were, in fact, the gods he had imagined them to be…

Exploring equality, freedom, racism, family and growing up without your birth parents, in a moving and funny performance, you’ll discover The Gods Are All Here is both timeless and very much a story of now!

Audiences have been bowled over with his story telling shows with one audience member describing Phil’s talent as “Superb, combining personal, traditional and reimagined stories in a unique way. Very moving and gripping throughout, you always want to know 'what happens next'.”

Phil Okwedy The Gods Are All Here is directed by Michael Harvey and is funded by the Arts Council of Wales. The UK’s leading UK storytelling production company, Adverse Camber (Dreaming the Night Field / Hunting the Giant’s Daughter) is delighted to be touring this production and working alongside Phil.

Phil said: “As I developed as storyteller, there came a time when I felt ready to tell myth but could find none that resonated with me. So, I began to weave personal and family stories with folktales as a kind of myth-making exercise. When I found the letters in my mother’s flat after her death, I felt a need to do more with them than just read them but I was not yet a storyteller and so had no idea what that might be.

“Now, in sharing this show my intention is that it resonates with other people, with their individual family stories but also with the audience as a whole, because it is by working together that we ensure that equality, justice and freedom are experienced by all.” 

Phil Okwedy The Gods Are All Here will visit the Torch Theatre on Friday 27 January at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 / £10 concessions and can be booked here.

Note: The show is not suitable for those under 12 as the show discusses being brought up with foster parents. There are also stories of slavery that include descriptions of violence, and the show contains discriminatory language.