Playing as part of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s star-studded season, Adrian Lester reprises his role as Ira Aldridge in Lolita Chakrabarti’s acclaimed play Red Velvet.

Set at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1833, Red Velvet charts the story of the young black American actor as he is asked to take over the title role in Shakespeare’s Othello when renowned actor Edmund Kean collapses on stage. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre?  

The production, which is directed by Indhu Rubasingham, originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre in 2012 before transferring to New York’s St Ann’s Warehouse in 2014.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s season will also include productions of The Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade / All On Her Own, The Painkiller, Romeo And Juliet and The Entertainer. Read more about it here.