Lenny Henry to star in Theatre Royal Stratford East's King Hedley II

Actor and comedian Lenny Henry is to star in the upcoming production of King Hedley II at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

August Wilson's drama will be directed by Nadia Fall as part of her new season as artistic director of the east London theatre.

The piece is set in 1980s Pittsburgh, where an ex-con is trying to rebuild his life. Henry will play hustler Elmore in the show, which runs from 17 May to 15 June 2019.

Henry's previous credits include Ui in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at Donmar Warehouse, Frank in Educating Rita at Chichester Festival Theatre and Adam in Rudy's Rare Records.

Elsewhere in the season, Equus will be directed by Ned Bennett, and Esther Richardson directs Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses, adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz.

Fall took over Theatre Royal Stratford East earlier this year following the departure of Kerry Michael, who had overseen the theatre for 12 years.