Production photos are released today for the UK premiere of Beneatha’s Place, a razor-sharp satire from Young Vic Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah about power, politics and race, set in 1950s Nigeria and present day. The production is now in previews in the Young Vic Main House with opening night on 5 July and running until 5 August.
Cherrelle Skeete (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hanna) stars in the title role as Beneatha Younger, Zackary Momoh (Seven Seconds, The Nevers) plays Joseph Asagai/Wale Oguns, with Sebastian Armesto (Leopoldstadt) as Daniel Barnes/Prof Mark Bond, Jumoké Fashola (The High Table) as Prof Shirley Jones/Aunty Fola, Tom Godwin (Best of Enemies) as Mr Nelson/Prof Gary Jacobs, and Nia Gwynne (Tolkien) as Mrs. Nelson/Dr Harriet Banks.
1959. The first wave of independence is sweeping across Africa and Beneatha has left the prejudice of 1950s America for a brighter future with her Nigerian husband in Lagos. But on the day they move into their new house in the white suburbs, it doesn’t take long for cracks to appear, changing the course of the rest of their lives.
Present day. Now a renowned Dean whose colleagues are questioning the role of African American studies for future generations, Beneatha returns to the same house in search of answers.
Inspired by the groundbreaking civil rights drama, A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha’s Place challenges today’s culture wars about colonial history and reckoning with the past.
Set and Costume Design is by Debbie Duru, Lighting Design by Mark Henderson, Sound Design by Tony Gayle, Voice and Dialect Coach Esi Acquaah-Harrison, Movement Director Shelley Maxwell, Casting Director Heather Basten CDG, Jerwood Assistant Director Ellis and Jerwood Trainee Assistant Director Tia-zakura Camilleri.
Tickets are on sale at www.youngvic.org
