CHAINS & SHACKLES

Chains and Shackles is a historical tragedy set in the pre-colonial Gold Coast. It uncovers the complex and often uncomfortable truths of the Gold Coast’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Written by Nii Ayi Solomon, the play challenges the romanticized image of “Mother Ghana” by exposing how local chiefs and African guards participated in the brutal sale of their people. Staged at Alliance Française in 2018, this landmark production weaves realism, symbolism, and cultural storytelling into a visceral theatrical experience.

Playwright: Nii Ayi Solomon

Director: Woelinam K. Dziewornu-Norvor

Stage Manager: Ishmael Annan

Costume Design: Xorlali Plange

Sound & Lighting Design: Richard Joseph

Scenic Design: Woelinam K. Dziewornu-Norvor

Make-Up: Judith Opoku Atwuma

Photography: John Jerry Kumessy & Elevation Photography

Alliance Française, 2018.