A cast of London theatre regulars will join the previously announced Jenny Jules and Lucian Msamati in the European premiere of Lynn Nottage’s multi-award-winning drama Ruined.
David Ajala, who is currently performing in the National Theatre production of Nation, Damola Adelaja, Michelle Asante, Silas Carson, Kehinde Fadipe, Joel Kangudi, Okezie Morro, Steve Toussaint and Wunmi Mosaku complete the cast of the Almeida theatre production.
Nottage’s drama is set in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Mama Nadi’s bar her rules apply. No arguments, no politics, no guns. When two new girls tainted with the stigma of their recent past arrive, Mama is forced to reassess her business priorities and personal loyalties. As tales of local atrocities spread and tensions between rebels and government militia rise, the realities of life in civil war provide the ultimate test of the human spirit.
When Ruined received its world premiere in the US last year it won seven Best Play Awards (including the New York Critics’ Circle Award, in addition to the Pulitzer Prize.
Ruined runs at the Almeida theatre from 15 April to 5 June, following Measure For Measure, Michael Attenborough’s first Shakespearean production as Artistic Director of the Almeida which stars Rory Kinnear, Anna Maxwell Martin and Ben Miles. Currently playing at the Islington venue is Patrick Hamilton’s macabre thriller Rope.
MA