Messiah by Paula B Stanic
(27 – 30 Nov 2019)

An explosive new play exploring the true story of revolutionary Black Panther Party member, Fred Hampton.
 
In the cold dawn of Chicago in 1969, 14 police officers load their weapons outside Hampton’s apartment. Inside, he lies asleep next to his pregnant girlfriend.
 
At just 21 years old, he’s negotiated non-violence pacts between street gangs, founded free public health clinics and fed thousands of starving school children. However, his good deeds are not unanimously winning him fans and those in power are determined to see him as a threat that must be stopped by any means necessary…
 
50 years on from his assassination and the cover-up that followed, Messiah explores Hampton’s life and legacy and the revolutionary power of young people.
 
Brought to life by Fringe First winners Bear Trap Theatre and Alfred Fagon Award-winner Paula B Stanic, this powerful story about one of history’s most prominent figures in the fight for civil rights echoes through the generations.
 
“We say you don’t fight racism with racism. We’re gonna fight racism with solidarity.” – Fred B. Hampton