THE harrowing and uplifting tale of how a man and his mother escaped from Idi Amin's Uganda in 1978 is the topic of a new play in Bangor.

Pontio, arts and entertainment centre, welcomes Fuel Theatre and Ovalhouse to its Studio Theatre, for the first time, to present a new play The Dark, by poet Nick Makoha.

The autobiographical story sees Michael Balogun and Akiya Henry play multiple characters in an exploration of memory, directed by award-winning Roy Alexander Weise (Nine Night).

An award-winning poet, Nick Makoha currently lives in London. His poems have appeared in the New York Times, Poetry Review, Poetry London, and many more.

His poem Vista was used as part of a video installation to promote the Turner prize in 2008.

He won the 2015 Brunel International African Poetry Prize and is the 2016 winner of the Tori Derricotte and Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize for his pamphlet Resurrection Man.

Fuel director Kate McGrath said: “Understanding the world we live in seems more complex than ever.

"Imagining a positive future requires new levels of optimism. Coming together in a theatre is a way to do these things, and have a good night out.

"Fuel’s job is to identify those living artists and bring their urgent and brave work to life for people to experience."

Elen ap Robert, artistic director at Pontio added, “We’re very glad to be welcoming this new play as part of our spring 2019 season and to present Nick Makoha’s important story at Pontio.”

The Dark, is on Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 24, at the Pontio Studio.

Tickets are £12/£10. Age guidance is 12+. Tickets from: www.pontio.co.uk or 01248 38 28 28