Arinzé Kene in Kohlhaas

Arinzé Kene is a Nigerian-born British actor and playwright best known for his one-man play Misty. An Olivier Award nominee and MBE holder, Kene will star in Kohlhaas, a one-man adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist’s novella at the Old Vic as part of Rupert Goold’s inaugural season.

Arinzé Kene stars in Kohlhaas, a one-man show adapted from Heinrich von Kleist’s 1810 novella Michael Kohlhaas. The production runs at the Old Vic from 27 August to 4 September 2027 in a co-production with Brighton Festival. This intimate and provocative adaptation explores power, justice, and obsession through the story of a man driven to extraordinary lengths. The production marks another significant theatrical moment for Kene, who continues to challenge narratives and create powerful dramatic work on the stage.

See Arinzé Kene in Kohlhaas at the Old Vic

About Arinzé Kene

Arinzé Kene is a Nigerian-born British actor and playwright who grew up in Hackney, East London. He briefly studied Physiotherapy at university before dropping out to pursue acting full-time. He is best known for writing and performing in Misty, which made him only the second Black British playwright ever to have a West End transfer. Kene won the Off West End Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright for Estate Walls (2011), received an Olivier Award nomination for Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (2022), and holds an MBE. He is committed to creating new narratives for underrepresented communities across theatre, television, and film.

Theatre Credits

Arinzé Kene has built a distinguished career as both actor and playwright, with numerous acclaimed performances across London’s major theatres.

Appeared in Estate Walls (Off West End)
Starred in One Night in Miami (Donmar Warehouse) as Sam Cooke
Appeared in Girl from the North Country (Old Vic Theatre)
Appeared in The Caretaker (Bristol Old Vic, Royal & Derngate)
Appeared in Of Mice and Men (Savoy Theatre and The Old Vic)
Starred in Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (Lyric Theatre, 2021)
Wrote and starred in Misty (Bush Theatre, 2018; transferred to Trafalgar Studios, 2018-2019; The Shed, New York, 2023)
Other theatre credits include work at the Young Vic, National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, RSC, and Soho Theatre
Now stars in Kohlhaas (Old Vic, 2027), directed by Omar Elerian

Film and Television Credits

Notable film and television credits include Girl from the North Country (BBC/Netflix), The Pass (independent), Youngers (E4), EastEnders (BBC), Crazyhead (Channel 4), Been So Long (Netflix), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic), and The Informer (BBC).

Book Kohlhaas Tickets

Kohlhaas plays at the Old Vic from 27 August to 4 September 2027, featuring Arinzé Kene in this bold one-man adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist’s novella. Translated and directed by Omar Elerian in a co-production with Brighton Festival, this provocative exploration of power and justice showcases one of Britain’s most exciting contemporary performers. Early booking is recommended for this limited-run engagement.

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Main photo: Arinzé Kene | One Night in Miami... | Photo: Johan Persson