Red Velvet, Tricycle Theatre

Red Velvet is making a grand return to the Tricycle theatre after its successful run of 2012 where it was hailed one of the must see shows of the year. The production will only be doing a limited run before making its New York transfer.

Lolita Chakrabarti, who was recently tipped as one of the female playwright to watch in the theatre world, won Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Award & Critical Circle Award.

Set at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in 1833, Red Velvet tells the story of a famed actor Edmund Kean taken ill whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor is asked to replace him. At that time, the abolition of slavery is still fresh in people’s minds and the streets full of riots against it. Cast, critics and audience will react strongly to this significant revolution.

The play is born of imagined experiences based on the true story of African-American actor Ira Aldridge. Aldridge (1807-1867) was an American actor who made his career largely on the London stage and in Europe especially in Shakespearean roles. This play is loosely based on his experience as a black actor in the 1800’s.

Adrian Lester, recently seen in the National Theatre’s Othello, won best actor for his role in Red Velvet. Described as ‘a layered and revealing play’ that was ‘superbly acted’, this show should be worth the ride to Kilburn.

One last thing, just make sure you don’t buy tickets for the seats on the sides of the floor plan as they are deeply uncomfortable.