Far Gone (NHB Modern Plays)

When Okumu's village in Northern Uganda is attacked by a guerrilla rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony, he and his brother find that their lives are changed forever. Far Gone is a profoundly moving play for one actor which tells the story of a young boy's journey from childhood innocence to child soldier, seen through the eyes of those that love him - and those that betray him. Inspired by John Rwothomack's own real-life experience of nearly being kidnapped by the LRA, the play was co-produced by Roots Mbili Theatre and Sheffield Theatres, with support from Theatre Deli, Sheffield. It premiered at the Crucible Studio, Sheffield, in 2022, directed by Mojisola Elufowoju. 'This play is not about me, the kid who was lucky enough to escape. This play is for the hundreds of thousands who did not. For the parents whose children were either lost forever or forever changed. For the young girls who were forced to marry men old enough to be their fathers. For the brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, sons and daughters who lost the innocence of childhood, simply for being born at an unfortunate time in an unfortunate place. For the future generations who will continue to suffer the trauma the LRA has imprinted on them, for many years to come.' John Rwothomack

John Rwothomack is a Ugandan-born, UK-based actor, writer and theatre director. He trained as an actor at Rose Bruford College of Performing Arts, London. His plays include Far Gone (Kampala International Theatre Festival, 2019; Sheffield Theatres, 2022).