Lyric life

• Monique Touko returns to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre with searing drama Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, written by award-winning American playwright Alice Childress.
• Leading the ensemble cast are Deborah Ayorinde (Prime Video series Riches, Universal Picture’s Harriet) and David Walmsley (Apple TV’s Slow Horses, Blood Wedding at Young Vic), who will play lovers Julia and Herman in this emotive and romantic production, set in 1918 South Carolina.
• Director Monique Touko, Set & Costume Designer Paul Wills, and the team behind the sell-out success of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play last summer, return to bring Alice Childress’ seminal play to London audiences.
• Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White previews from 31 May with press night on 06 June. The run must end 29 June.
  Ticket are on sale now at lyric.co.uk

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of Alice Childress’ powerful masterpiece Wedding Band:  A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, directed by Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko, who returns to the Lyric after the smash-hit production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.

Depicting an intense interracial romance, set in the deep south of the United States in 1918, this pioneering play examines the brutalising effect of anti-miscegenation laws and offers a stark reflection of Childress’ reality as a writer working in the Civil Rights era. This major revival explores themes of race and class, questioning the devastating impact of unjust laws on ordinary human lives.

Starring in the production are Geraldine Alexander (Bridgerton, Sea Creatures) as Thelma, Deborah Ayorinde (Riches, Harriet) as Julia, Lachele Carl (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Trick) as Fanny, Poppy Gilbert (Perfect Addiction, The Catch) as Annabelle, Diveen Henry (Hang, I Think We Are Alone) as Lula, Patrick Martins (Small Town Big Story, Falling For the Life of Alex Whelan) as Nelson, Bethan Mary-James (Meetings, Trouble in Butetown) as Mattie,  David Walmsley (Slow Horses, Blood Wedding) as Herman and Owen Whitelaw (Get Millie Black, My Son) as Bell Man.

Children’s roles are shared by Lylianna Eugene (Secret Invasion) as Teeta, Poppy Graham (Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite) as Princess, Saskia Holness (Champion) as Teeta, and Wren Stembridge (Leonora In The Morning Light ) as Princess.

Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White has Set & Costume Design by Paul Wills, Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Design by Cynthia De La Rosa, Lighting Design by Matt Haskins, Sound Design by Elena Peña, Music by Shiloh Coke, Choreography & Movement by Aline David, Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Associate Design by Keisha Paris-Banya, Casting by Sophie Parrott CDG, and Dialect & Voice Coaching by Joel Trill.

Monique Touko, Director, said:

“Wedding Band: A Love Hate/Story in Black and White by Alice Childress is my first attempt at an African American classic, told by a writer ahead of her time, who centred Black Women and exposed the highs and lows of the human condition.

I feel a big responsibility with this revival to ensure it is handled with care and speaks to contemporary audiences. This is my second show at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and the opportunity to return with such a gift of a play feels timely. We have assembled a talented group of actors and a superb returning creative team to create the world of 1918 South Carolina and ensure the piece speaks to now.

This is a show about interracial love, but also class, community and how much the harsh context of living in the US during the First World War in the midst of the Spanish Flu pandemic impacted one’s soul. Childress’ words are lyrical, witty and intentional – I hope audiences are moved and made to question themselves and how far we have come, if at all.”

Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director & CEO of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said:

“Alice Childress was a pioneering American playwright whose work examining interracial politics, intolerance and alienation produced some of the greatest plays of our time. Her extraordinary work celebrating the lives of ordinary people is without doubt in the league of great writers such as Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. She was a brave, bold artist who deserves celebration.

We couldn’t be happier to welcome back Monique Touko in her revival of this incredibly moving drama after her incredible production of the smash hit comedy School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play last summer.

We are thrilled that Lyric audiences will get to experience this powerful and poignant story unfold in our beautiful Frank Matcham auditorium and immerse themselves into the epic love story of Julia and Herman.”

Set in the deep south of the USA in 1918 when interracial marriage was illegal, Julia, a black seamstress, and Herman, a white baker, are defying all odds with their secret love. They face vicious judgement not just by society but also their closest friends and family. As they finally begin to believe their dreams for a future together are possible, Herman becomes a victim of the Spanish flu. Determined to save him, Julia is faced with decisions that will change her life.

Further biographies for the cast and full creative team are available to download here.