Lenny Henry stars in stage version of Rudy's Rare Records

WhatsOnStage Award nominee Lenny Henry is set to star in a stage adaptation of Radio 4 series Rudy’s Rare Records at the Hackney Empire next September (2014) for three weeks prior to a UK tour.

The play is written by Danny Robins, who is known for writing CBBC’s Young Dracula, We are History (BBC2) and four series of Rudy’s Rare Records with Lenny Henry.

According to press material: "Rudy's Rare Records is a tiny down-at-heel old reggae record shop in Birmingham. It's one of a dying breed; a place with real soul, stacked with piles of vinyl, where the slogan is "if we don't have it – them don't mek it". It's owned by the charismatic, irrepressible, cantankerous Rudy Sharpe, reluctantly helped out by his long-suffering son Adam (Lenny Henry), but when the threat of developers looms, father and son must put their differences aside as they face a battle to keep the music alive."

Featuring a live band playing reggae, ska, funk and hip hop classics, Rudy’s Rare Records is billed as a "feel good funny night out about how desperate times draw families together, even when you can’t stand the sight of each other."

Lenny Henry has starred in a number of recent stage productions. He won the Evening Standard Best Newcomer Award for his portrayal of Othello for Northern Broadsides, and recently completed a West End season as Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences, for which he is currently nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award.