Sir Lenny Henry will soon be treading the boards of Theatreland once more, as he will be starring in a production of King Hedley II at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Nadia Fall, Lenny will be playing the role of smooth-talking hustler Elmore.
Although this isn’t Lenny’s first time on stage, he’s recently appeared in The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre and Fences at the Duchess Theatre. Last year he also made his debut at the Donmar Warehouse in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Lenny is also a Trustee of the National Theatre.
And the good news doesn’t stop there, as the show’s full cast has also been announced. Joining Lenny will be; Dexter Flanders (Mister), Martina Laird (Ruby), Aaron Pierre (King Hedley), Cherrelle Skeete (Tonya) and Leo Wringer (Stool Pigeon).
Set in Pittsburgh during the 1980s, the show tells the story of King Hedley. King is a former criminal who wants to rebuild his life, open a video store and start a family…all he needs is ten thousand dollars to do it. King and his friend Mister need to figure out a way to raise the cash, but as they sit in their dusty backyard making plans, is it all a pipe dream? Written by August Wilson, this production is a touching and angry tale of redemption for one man and a whole community.
Director Nadia Fall says, “I am thrilled to announce such a brilliant cast for what is surely one of August Wilson’s most hard-hitting plays, a story which is as relevant today as when it was first written. This is the first time a Wilson play has been performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East, and it feels like a perfect fit.”
King Hedley will run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East from Friday 17 May – Saturday 15 June 2019. Tickets are available on the theatre’s official website.