Harper Lee’s Mockingbird at Royal Exchange, 20 Feb

Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird is being staged at the Royal Exchange next month. Christopher Sergel’s acclaimed adaptation for the theatre, tells one of the most enduring and well-known stories of our time – a universal tale of prejudice, deep inequalities and bigotry with powerful lessons of tolerance and justice.

The play follows Scout Finch as she grows up during the 1930s depression in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Her idyllic childhood innocence is shattered when her father, Atticus Finch, defends a young black man accused of rape and the family becomes the target of abuse.

This new production is directed by guest director Max Webster. He was recently based at the Exchange as part of the ITV Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme working as assistant director on Edward II, You Can’t Take It With You, Two and The Gatekeeper. He directed My Young and Foolish Heart as part of last year’s Truth About Youth Festival.

Nigel Cooke plays Atticus Finch, Shannon Tarbet is Scout and Okesie Morro is Tom Robinson. The play is designed by James Cotterill.

To Kill a Mockingbird is at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre from 20 February – 30 March.