The world premiere of The Return of Benjamin Lay will bring to life the revolutionary mind and the remarkable tale of an utterly impossible man, for a limited four week run at the Finborough Theatre this summer.
A shepherd, sailor and prophet, the Quaker dwarf became one of the British Empire’s first abolitionists. Sweeping across the centuries, Benjamin Lay takes to the stage nearly 300 years after his death.
Critically acclaimed American actor and President of the Little People’s Association Mark Povinelli will make his UK stage debut in this trailblazing one hander, directed by Royal Shakespeare Company (Honorary Associate Director Ron Daniels Hamlet RSC; Othello Shakespeare s Theatre DC).
Disowned by his beloved Quakers for his passionate campaigning and acts of guerrilla theatre, the four feet tall Little David confronts the Goliath of slavery once again as he pleads to be readmitted into his community.
The Return of Benjamin Lay celebrates an extraordinary man who fought against slavery and faced down discrimination and subverted people s stereotypes of dwarves in the 18th century.
Benjamin, a radical for his time, was also a vegetarian with the belief in animals worth to be equal to humans, and an staunch environmental activist who warned against the wealthy who poison the earth for gain.
The Return of Benjamin Lay is written by multi award winning playwright Naomi Wallace and distinguished historian Marcus Rediker, marking a continuation of a unique decade long collaboration.
With a determination to create a role for an actor with Dwarfism, unprecedented in British theatre, the play is the result of years of research in collaboration with the Quaker and Little People communities. Based on the acclaimed source material by Marcus Rediker, it played a key role in reembracement of Benjamin by his community, going on to inspire activists worldwide, and solidifying him as part of the rich history of people with dwarfism.
The Return of Benjamin Lay will play at Finborough Theatre Tuesday 13th June – Saturday 8th July 2023.
