The production will begin performances at the National Theatre from the 20th September.
Rehearsal images have been released for Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky, directed by Lynette Linton and starring Samira Wiley and Giles Terera.
New York, 1930.Following a decade of creative explosion, the Harlem Renaissance is starting to feel the bite of the Great Depression.In the face of hardship and dwindling opportunity, Angel and her friends battle to keep their artistic dreams alive. But, when Angel falls for a stranger from Alabama, their romance forces the group to make good on their ambitions, or give in to the reality of the time.
This revival will be performing on the National Theatre’s Lyttelton stage from the 20th September until 5th November. It will be directed by Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, Lynette Linton, as she makes her National Theatre debut.
Talking about the production, Samira Wiley said: “I have been waiting to get to London and start rehearsals on this production for almost three years now. Theatre is where I feel most comfortable so to work at the National is a dream come true and being back in a rehearsal room feels amazing. You get to really dive into the world of the play and your character with the people that you’re creating this with. It’s an extremely collaborative environment that allows all of us to be seen and heard, and makes me feel like I can be my best self and the best artist I can be. Black people’s joy and sorrow being portrayed on stage in a way that gives them dignity is not something that we have always seen in the stories told in movies and on stage, and this play couldn’t feel more timely in the social climate that we’re living in. I’m having the most artistically fulfilling time I believe I have had in years. My heart is so full.”
Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale) performs the role of Angel Allen in her UK stage debut with Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Three Sisters) as Delia Patterson, Osy Ikhile (Sweat) as Leland Cunningham, Sule Rimi (Barber Shop Chronicles) as Sam Thomas and Giles Terera (Death of England: Face to Face) as Guy Jacobs. Lincoln Conway, Eddie Elliott, Kimberley Okoye and Helena Pipe complete the company.
The creative team behind the production includes: Set and costume design by Frankie Bradshaw, lighting designer is Oliver Fenwick, composer is Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, sound designer is George Dennis, movement director is Kane Husbands, wigs hair and make-up design is Cynthia De La Rosa and Staff Director TD Moyo.
For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/blues-for-an-alabama-sky