The latest production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s season of works at the Garrick Theatre opens for previews from the 23rd January. 

Red Velvet, which sees Adrian Lester reprise his role of Ira Aldridge, originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre  before transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York in 2014. This revival is the third production in Kenneth Branagh’s season of plays at the Garrick Theatre in the West End.

Opening for previews at the theatre tomorrow night, Red Velvet is written by Lolita Chakrabarti and tells the story of  a young American black actor who has been asked to take over the role of Othello, after the collapse of Edmund Kean on stage. But as the public take to the streets and riot over the abolition of slavery – how will the audience, critics and cast react to what is happening in the theatre?

Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, the cast also includes Ayesha Antoine (Connie), Simon Chandler (Bernard Warde/Terence), Alexander Cobb (Henry Forrester/Casimir), Mark Edel-Hunt (Charles Kean), Emun Elliott (Pierre Laporte), Charlotte Lucas (Ellen Tree), Caroline Martin (Halina Wozniak/Margaret Aldridge) and Amy Morgan (Betty Lovell).

The creative team features designs by Tom Piper, lighting designed by Oliver Fenwick, sound design by Paul Arditti, composer Paul Englishby and choreography by Imogen Knight.

The other plays taking place at the Garrick Theatre this year as part of the season include: The Painkiller, Romeo & Juliet  and The Entertainer.

Red Velvet opens at the Garrick Theatre from the 23rd January, running until the 27th February. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, UK Tickets.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre People.com, Last Minute.com, Love Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk.