The Lyric Hammersmith in London has revealed casting for its forthcoming production of drama Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White.
The show plays the Lyric from 31 May 2024.
The American drama is written by awardwinning American playwright Alice Childress.
The cast is led by Deborah Ayorinde (Riches, Harriet) as Julia and David Walmsley (Slow Horses, Blood Wedding) as Herman.
The production also stars Geraldine Alexander (Bridgerton, Sea Creatures) as Thelma, Lachele Carl (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Trick) as Fanny, Poppy Gilbert (Perfect Addiction, The Catch) as Annabelle, Diveen Henry (Hang, I Think We Are Alone) as Lula, Patrick Martins (Small Town Big Story, Falling For the Life of Alex Whelan) as Nelson, Bethan Mary-James (Meetings, Trouble in Butetown) as Mattie, and Owen Whitelaw (Get Millie Black, My Son) as Bell Man.
Children’s roles are shared by Lylianna Eugene (Secret Invasion) as Teeta, Poppy Graham (Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite) as Princess, Saskia Holness (Champion) as Teeta, and Wren Stembridge (Leonora In The Morning Light) as Princess.
Directed by Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko, the creative team incudes the team behind the sell-out success of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play last summer at the Lyric, and includes Set & Costume Design by Paul Wills, Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Design by Cynthia De La Rosa, Lighting Design by Matt Haskins, Sound Design by Elena Peña, Music by Shiloh Coke, Choreography & Movement by Aline David, Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Associate Design by Keisha Paris-Banya, Casting by Sophie Parrott CDG, and Dialect & Voice Coaching by Joel Trill.
Depicting an intense interracial romance, set in the deep south of the United States in 1918, this pioneering play examines the brutalising effect of antimiscegenation laws and offers a stark reflection of Childress’ reality as a writerworking in the Civil Rights era. This major revival explores themes of race and class, questioning the devastating impact of unjust laws on ordinary human lives.
Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White is playing the Lyric Hammersmith from 31 May to 29 June 2024.
What They Said
Monique Touko, Director, said: “Wedding Band: A Love Hate/Story in Black and White by Alice Childress is my first attempt at an African American classic, told by a writer ahead of her time, who centred Black Women and exposed the highs and lows of the human condition. I feel a big responsibility with this revival to ensure it is handled with care and speaks to contemporary audiences. This is my second show at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and the opportunity to return with such a gift of a play feels timely. We have assembled a talented group of actors and a superb returning creative team to create the world of 1918 South Carolina and ensure the piece speaks to now. This is a show about interracial love, but also class, community and how much the harsh context of living in the US during the First World War in the midst of the Spanish Flu pandemic impacted one’s soul. Childress’ words are lyrical, witty and intentional – I hope audiences are moved and made to question themselves and how far we have come, if at all.”
Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director & CEO of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said: “Alice Childress was a pioneering American playwright whose work examining interracial politics, intolerance and alienation produced some of the greatest plays of our time. Her extraordinary work celebrating the lives of ordinary people is without doubt in the league of great writers such as Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. She was a brave, bold artist who deserves celebration. We couldn’t be happier to welcome back Monique Touko in her revival of this incredibly moving drama after her incredible production of the smash hit comedy School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play last summer. We are thrilled that Lyric audiences will get to experience this powerful and poignant story unfold in our beautiful Frank Matcham auditorium and immerse themselves into the epic love story of Julia and Herman.”
Lyric Hammersmith,
