Adrian Lester to star in Red Velvet in the West End

Olivier-Award winner Adrian Lester will will reprise his role as Ira Aldridge in Lolita Chakrabarti‘s Red Velvet, as part of the Kenneth Branagh season at the Garrick Theatre next year.

The play, which originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre in 2012 before transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York in 2014, will be directed by Indhu Rubasingham.

Red Velvet is set in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre?

On the announcement, Kenneth Branagh said :

"Writing, direction and performance are exceptional in Red Velvet. I’m immensely proud to be presenting this work. I was aware of its development from its inception and believe Lolita Chakrabarti has written an important and exhilarating play which in its discussion of performance, politics, and race is as entertaining as it is illuminating."

Red Velvet runs from 23 January – 27 February 2016.

Click here to book tickets for Red Velvet.