Theatre News

Elizabeth Berrington and Tanya Moodie to star in Rasheeda Speaking at Trafalgar Studios

Joel Drake Johnson’s workplace drama is making its UK premiere

Elizabeth Berrington and Tanya Moodie
Elizabeth Berrington and Tanya Moodie

© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Elizabeth Berrington and Tanya Moodie will star in the UK premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking at Trafalgar Studios.

Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (Dear Brutus, Pippin and Hair), the piece is a tense hospital-based comedy-drama that examines racism in the workplace, both explicit and underlying. The text starts with a white doctor trying to remove a black receptionist from her job, and from there things escalate out of control.

The show opened originally at Chicago's Rivendell Theatre, before being performed as part of The New Group's 2014-15 season in New York. It was nominated for Best Play by the Jefferson Committee and also nominated for Best New Off-Broadway Play by the Outer Critics' Circle.

Two-time Olivier Award-nominee Moodie will play Jaclyn Spaulding. Her past credits include Trouble in Mind, Hamlet and The House That Will Not Stand. Berrington will play Ileen Van Meter, and her credits include Who Cares, The Low Road and Black Mirror.

Drake Johnson's other plays include Four Places, A Blue Moon and As The Beaver.

Rasheeda Speaking runs at Trafalgar Studios from 20 April to 12 May, with previews from 18 April.