Full Tour And Cast Announced For Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges, Reading Rep and producer Desara Bosnja announce the cast and full tour dates for the revival of the JMK production of The Mountaintop. The tour, which includes regional venues such as Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage and Birmingham Rep is part of a touring network to support JMK productions and productions alike have a life outside of London. The cast for Katori Hall's The Mountaintop includes Gbolahan Obisesan (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and Rochelle Rose (Camae). The production opens on 2 October, with previews from 26 September at Nuffield Southampton Theatres and runs for two weeks ahead of national tour to Northern Stage, Northwall, Reading Rep Theatre, Leicester Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep.

Katori Hall said today, "I'm beyond thrilled that The Mountaintop is returning home. The UK wholeheartedly embraced this story from its inception, proving without a doubt, the ability of Dr. King's legacy to transcend lines of culture and country. As this heightened political moment further exposes the fierce hold racism, classism and sexism have on all our communities, I hope this tour provides a safe space to confront these stubborn demons through the power of storytelling."

"I am a man, I am just a man."

An intimate look into the life of Martin Luther King. The Mountaintop chips away at the myth of the great man exposing his fears about his family, country and the ever-looming threat of a violent death.

Set during the height of America's Civil Rights Movement on the night before his death, Katori Hall's sharp and powerful play confronts the legend and his legacy. Are we really free or do we live in a world of false liberation?

Roy Alexander Weise (Nine Night, National Theatre), winner of the JMK Award 2016, directs this revival of the Olivier Award-winning play about King's last night on earth.

Gbolahan Obisesan plays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an actor, his theatre include The Mountaintop (Young Vic), The Bird Woman Of Lewisham (Arcola Theatre), The Inspectors Call (Etcetera Theatre), Concrete Jungle, Piano Forte (Courtyard Theatre), Holyland (Edinburgh/ Pleasance/Lyric Hammersmith), The Arbitrary Adventures Of An Accidental Terrorist (Lyric Hammersmith), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oedipus The King, A Hip-Hop Musical (Bloomsbury Theatre). Television credits include Forty-something; Watch Over Me!; and short film credits include The Good Son, Beyond the Blade. Obisesan is also a playwright and director.

Rochelle Rose plays Camae. For theatre her work includes Cinderella, Aladdin (Oxford Playhouse), The Winter's Tale (Orange Tree Theatre), Shipwrecked! The Amazing Adventures of Louis De Rougemont (Jack Studio Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Lyric Hammersmith) and Monkey Don't Stop No Show (Eclipse Theatre). For television, her work includes Lawful Killing; for short film work includes Pipe Up and Ghosts.

Katori Hall is an Olivier Award-winning playwright. Her play The Mountaintop, premièring at Theatre503 in 2009, transferred to the West End in 2010 and won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. Following its West End run, the play opened on Broadway in October 2011 to critical acclaim. Katori's other work includes the award-wining Hurt Village which is currently in development as a feature film, Hoodoo Love, Remembrance, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, WHADDABLOODCLOT!!! Our Lady of Kibeho, The Blood Quilt, and Pussy Valley, which is being adapted into a TV series for US network STARZ.

Roy Alexander Weise is the 19th annual winner of the James Menzies-Kitchin Award and an Associate Director at Harts Theatre Company. His theatre credits include Nine Night (National Theatre & West End transfer), The Mountaintop (Young Vic), Jekyll and Hyde (National Youth Theatre), Dead Don't Floss (National Theatre), The Ugly One (Park Theatre), The Dark (Ovalhouse), Primetime (Royal Court Theatre), Stone Face (Finborough Theatre) and Br'er Cotton (Theatre503).

Age recommendation 14+

NST City is Nuffield Southampton Theatres brand new venue just opened in Southampton's city centre. The new theatre opened earlier this year, and runs alongside NST Campus situated on the Highfield Campus at the University of Southampton.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and a registered charity, receiving additional core funding from the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council.

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