The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has announced that the third production in their year long season at the Garrick Theatre will be a production of Red Velvet starring Adrian Lester.
Red Velvet originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre in 2012 before transferring to St Anne’s Warehouse in New York in 2014. It will arrive as part of the Plays at the Garrick Season from the 23rd January until the 27th February.
The production, written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Indhu Rubasingham will see Adrian Lester reprise his role as Ira Aldridge.
1833 at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation has collapsed on stage while playing Othello. A youg black actor is called upon to take over the role. But as riots take place on the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast and critics react to the revolution taking place on the stage?
Talking about the addition of Red Velvet to the season of plays at the Garrick, Kenneth Branagh said: “Writing, direction and performance are exceptional in Red Velvet. I’m immensely proud to be presenting this work. I was aware of its development from its inception and believe Lolita Chakrabarti has written an important and exhilarating play which in its discussion of performance, politics, and race is as entertaining as it is illuminating.”
The other works in this inaugural season of plays for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company include: A Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade/All on Her Own, The Painkiller, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer.
Red Velvet will be performing at the Garrick Theatre from the 23rdJanuary to the 27th February. To book tickets visit: http://www.branaghtheatre.com/red-velvet/index.php , Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk , Discount Theatre.com , Love Theatre.com .