Red Velvet, will be the third production in the plays at the Garrick Season, as part of The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s inaugural season.

Kenneth Branagh commented “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.”

Imagined experiences based on the true story of Ira Aldridge Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre?

This multi-award winning play, which originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, before transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York, will be the third production in the Plays at the Garrick Season and will be directed by Indhu Rubasingha. Olivier-Award winner Adrian Lester will reprise his role as Ira Aldridge.

Lolita Chakrabarti said, “I am delighted that Red Velvet is continuing its extraordinary journey. From its beginnings at The Tricycle Theatre to its transfer to New York, it’s been a wonderful experience and we can’t wait to bring Ira Aldridge back to London’s West End.”

Adrian Lester commented, “Getting Ira’s story to the stage has been a labour of love for us. The fact that we now get to tell that story in the West End and in such illustrious company is fantastic.”

Indhu Rubasingham said, “Red Velvet was my first production as Artistic Director at the Tricycle. It has a very special place in my heart as it had been a long time in the making with the playwright Lolita Chakrabarti and Adrian Lester. It has been an honour to celebrate Ira Aldridge and it is a great privilege and a real joy to be able to bring this production back and to be part of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season.”

Red Velvet
The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company
Garrick Theatre
Booking From: 23rd January 2016
Booking Until: 27th February 2016
Important Information: Ticket purchases will be limited to a maxium of six tickets per person across all performances. Tickets will be dispatched 2 weeks prior to the performance.
Audio described performance, Tuesday 16 February 2016 7.30pm
Captioned performance, Tuesday 9 February 2016 7.30pm