Theatre Royal Plymouth to Stage UK Premiere of Matthew Lopez's THE WHIPPING MAN

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War, one of the most lethal conflicts in American history but also an event that was pivotal in shaping the identity and future of the United States. Set in Virginia, following the final days of the Civil War, Matthew Lopez's play The Whipping Man revisits the fall of the American Confederacy and the end of slavery and is a moving and provocative look at this significant period of American history - the effects of which are still reverberating in US society today.

1865, Richmond, Virginia. In the aftermath of the Civil War, a wounded master and his two former slaves are reunited at the remains of their family home. As the days unfold and the men battle with their pasts, they are forced to make shocking sacrifices and reveal their darkest secrets. When war has raged through a community haunted by slavery, can anyone remain truly innocent? The Whipping Man is a powerful and enthralling play about choice, hope and what it means to be free.

A Theatre Royal Plymouth production, The Whipping Man is directed by Tom Attenborough with set and costume design by Francesca Reidy, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick and sound design by Adrienne Quartly. The cast are Gary Beadle, James Northcote and Sope Dirisu.

Theatre Royal Plymouth has built a national reputation for its specialist contemporary work producing provocative, intriguing, ambitious theatre by commissioning and working with some of the very best regional, national and international writers, artists and directors. In addition, TRP has been a long term collaborator and supporter of some of the most exciting theatre companies of our times including Frantic Assembly, Ontroerend Goed, Paines Plough and Told By An Idiot.

Recent Theatre Royal Plymouth productions include After Electra (The Drum, The Tricycle) and MAD MAN (The Drum) and co-productions include The Solid Life Of Sugar Water with Graeae and Pardon/In Cuffs with SKaGeN, both currently playing the Edinburgh Fringe.

Tom Attenborough's directing credits include The Wasp (Hampstead Theatre Downstairs), Cinderella & The Beanstalk (Theatre 503) and Abigail's Party (Theatre Royal Bath, UK Tour). As an Associate and Assistant Director, his credit include Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Wonderland (Hampstead Theatre) and Noises Off (The Old Vic Theatre).

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