A sell-out, award-nominated play is coming to Watford later this year.
Black Men Walking returns to theatres for a new tour, and comes to Watford Palace Theatre from Tuesday, November 5, to Friday, November 8.
After making its debut in January 2018, Black Men Walking became a huge success, selling out in thirteen venues across England and Wales and receiving nominations for UK Theatre’s Best New Play and Writer’s Guild Best Play 2019.
Black Men Walking follows Thomas, Matthew and Richard, three middle-aged black men who meet up once a month as part of a walking group to explore the Lake District. However, what was meant to be a simple hike through the mountains escalates into a treacherous journey through 2,000 years of black history. This journey will involve elements of the supernatural, coming face-to-face with the spirits of their ancestors and exploring what it is like to be black and British today.
The story is based on a real walking group of men with African and African-Caribbean heritage, who started walking in 2004 for health, wellbeing and camaraderie.
The original production of Black Men Walking was conceived by Eclipse, the UK’s foremost black-led touring company, who are committed to bringing diversity to theatre, film and radio through their Revolution Mix Movement. This ground-breaking initiative aims to bring a new wave of black British production to the UK. As well as Black Men Walking, this movement has brought many successful titles including BBC Radio 4’s The Last Flag, national middle-scale tour Princess & the Hustler, and upcoming film Samuels’ Trousers.
This tour will see a few familiar faces in the cast, as well as some new ones. Tonderai Munyevu and Dorcas Sebuyange are returning to their roles as Richard and Ayeesha, and joining them are Ben Onwukwe as Thomas, and Patrick Regis as Matthew.
Peter Huntley, Eclipse interim executive producer, said: “The reaction to the inaugural run last year from audiences and critics alike was incredible and further proof of what Eclipse has known for a long time: that that there is an audience crying out see and hear more black British stories.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to share this powerful production with new audiences from communities who, up until now, may not have seen themselves and their experiences represented on stage.”
Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Tuesday, November 5, to Friday, November 8, various times. Details: 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk
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