Liberian Girl

Set during the early years of the First Liberian Civil War (1989 – 1996), this startling debut play by Diana Nneka Atuona tells the story of fourteen-year-old Martha who flees her country, disguised as a boy, when it's invaded by rebels. Investigated and cruelly interrogated, she is separated from her grandmother as they attempt to escape the conflict under false identities and, convincing in her boy's apparel, Martha is forced to join the rebels' army. Exposed to the violence of this brutal and seemingly misguided conflict, both as victim and perpetrator, Martha's experience of the First Liberian Civil War is one of excessive cruelty and, in particular, abuse against female prisoners of war.

Liberian Girl received its world premiere at the Royal Court Upstairs, London in December 2014.