Shiloh Coke

Review: WEDDING BAND, Lyric Hammersmith

Interracial marriage has been legal in the United States for less than six decades. To put it into perspective, sliced bread was first sold forty years earlier. Set in 1918 South Carolina, Wedding Band is a blistering portrayal of unjust laws and discrimination, of conscious and unconscious bias, of finding love inside hopeless prejudice. Alice Childress’ American classic describes a Deep South riddled with hatred and stigma, a picture that’s uncomfortably close to a certain party’s opinions and that, sixty years later, remains unfortunately topical. A white baker and a black seamstress defy public opinion in this sombre drama.

Photos: Go Inside Rehearsal for WEDDING BAND: A LOVE/HATE STORY IN BLACK AND WHITE

See photos from inside the rehearsal room for Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, written by award-winning American playwright Alice Childress.

Cast Set For WEDDING BAND at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of Alice Childress’ Wedding Band:  A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, directed by Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko, who returns to the Lyric after the smash-hit production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. 

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of Arinzé Kene's MISTY at The Shed

Check out photos from opening night of Arinzé Kene's Misty at The Shed!

Review Roundup: Arinzé Kene's MISTY Opens at The Shed

Read the reviews for Arinzé Kene's Misty at The Shed.

Photos: Get a First Look at Arinzé Kene's MISTY at The Shed

Get a first look at the US premiere of Misty, a genre-defying play written by and starring Olivier Award–nominee Arinzé Kene, presented at The Shed!

Arinzé Kene's MISTY Begins Performances Tonight at The Shed

The Shed will present the US premiere of Misty, a genre-defying play written by and starring Olivier Award–nominee Arinzé Kene. See how to purchase tickets!

What Is The Shed? A Guide to NYC's Innovative Arts Space

New York City is home to some of the most innovative artists in the world, and home to some of the most creative spaces to present art. One such place is The Shed. Read more about what goes on at The Shed, its upcoming performances, and more!

US Premiere of Arinzé Kene's MISTY is Coming to The Shed in March

The Shed will present the US premiere of Misty, a genre-defying play written by and starring Olivier Award–nominee Arinzé Kene in his US stage debut and directed by Omar Elerian.

Full Cast Announced For THE CLINIC At Almeida Theatre

Monique Touko directs Toyin Ayedun-Alase, Donna Berlin, Maynard Eziashi, Simon Manyonda, Gloria Obianyo and Mercy Ojelade in the production which opens on Monday 12 September, with previews from Saturday 3 September, running until Saturday 1 October.

45North and Ellie Keel Productions Announce Casts For RECOGNITION and THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS MARITIME SCHOOL

45North and Ellie Keel Productions today announce full casts for Amanda Wilkin and Rachael Nanyonjo's recognition, available from 17 February; and Jaclyn Backhaus' The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School, the penultimate piece in the audio play series, Written on the Waves, which will be released 8 April. The final play in the series will be announced shortly.

Winners Announced For the Black British Theatre Awards 2020

The Black British Theatre Awards 2020 championed the artistic excellence and achievements of the black creatives and performers across all aspects of theatre. The program's first television broadcast on Sky Arts highlighted a cross section of some of the 2020 award-winners. 

BWW Review: SMALL ISLAND, National Theatre At Home

It could not have been better timing for the National Theatre to screen Small Island, Andrea Levy's epic and incredible story. This sellout 2019 production was due to return this autumn, but is now screened as part of the National Theatre At Home series. Levy never got to see how her novel translated so powerfully onto the stage as she sadly died just before rehearsals started. Her 2004 book is poignant, moving and warm and the themes of love, racism and prejudice set among the Windrush generation could hardly feel more prescient. Helen Edmundson's adaptation is faithful to these qualities and creates an epic of a production.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards Announce 2019 Shortlist

Today, the Evening Standard announces the 2019 shortlist for the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards in association with Michael Kors. Across nine award categories, the shortlist features the biggest names and emerging talents from the London stage over the last twelve months. Among the contenders are some strong commercial hits that have transferred or are about to move onto the West End or Broadway a?' including Betrayal, Death of a Salesman, Fiddler on the Roof, The Son and Sweat.

BWW Review: CHIAROSCURO, Bush Theatre

In an explosive blend of live music, spoken word and theatre, Jackie Kay's 1986 provocation is breathed a new life under Lynette Linton's hand. It is the director's first show since taking the AD job at the Bush Theatre, and is one that highly entertains, whilst also shines a light on queer women of colour across generations.

Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal For CHIAROSCURO at Bush Theatre

Chiaroscuro by Jackie Kay, Director Lynette Linton's first production as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre will preview from 31 August with a press night at 7pm on 6 September. The cast is Shiloh Coke (Misty at the Bush Theatre and Trafalgar Studios, Emila at The Globe Theatre), Preeya Kalidas (Eastenders, BBC Asian Radio, Bend It Like Beckham), singer-songwriter Anoushka Lucas(Jesus Christ Superstar at Regents Park Open Air Theatre and whose debut album Dark Soul was recently released) and Gloria Onitiri (whose recent productions include Napoli, Brooklyn, on national tour and Hadestown at the National Theatre).

BWW Review: SMALL ISLAND, National Theatre

The 2004 prize-winning novel by Andrea Levy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, has been beautifully translated to stage by adaptor Helen Edmundson and NT head honcho Rufus Norris, using thrilling theatrical solutions to honour Levy's epic - and still urgent - tale.

Photo Flash: First Look at the National's SMALL ISLAND

Andrea Levy's epic, Orange Prize-winning novel bursts into new life on the Olivier Stage. A company of 40 tell a story which journeys from Jamaica to Britain through the Second World War to 1948, the year the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury.

Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal For SMALL ISLAND at the National Theatre

Andrea Levy's epic, Orange Prize-winning novel bursts into new life on the Olivier Stage. A company of 40 tell a story which journeys from Jamaica to Britain through the Second World War to 1948, the year the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury.

National Theatre Announces Listings For May - October 2019

National Theatre has announced its listings for May - October 2019. Check out the full lineup below!