Red Velvet - Paperback

Red Velvet - Award-Winning Play by Lolita Chakrabarti

"Chakrabarti has crafted a rich psychological study that's also a shrewd portrait of the theatre as an institution - its vanities and strange conventions, its politics and sense of community, the opportunities it presents for both progress and blinkered traditionalism." Evening Standard

About This Play

Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage while playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. 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?

Based on the true story of Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor who, in the nineteenth century, built an incredible reputation around the world. Red Velvet premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in October 2012.

This Modern Classics edition features an introduction by Kenneth Branagh, providing additional context and insight into this powerful theatrical work.

Historical Significance

This play explores a pivotal moment in theatrical history, examining themes of race, identity, and artistic excellence against the backdrop of 1830s London. The story of Ira Aldridge's groundbreaking performance challenges audiences to confront the intersection of art and social justice during a transformative period in British and American history.

Production History

Red Velvet was the first play performed under the Tricycle's new artistic director Indhu Rubasingham in 2012. Following its successful premiere, the production returned to the Tricycle in 2014 before having its US premiere at St Ann's Warehouse New York, demonstrating its international appeal and enduring relevance.