Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White
By Alice Childress. Directed by Monique Touko.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.
Award-winning American playwright Alice Childress’ Wedding Band is a searing and powerful masterpiece which offers a stark reflection of the reality she was writing in during the Civil Rights era. It explores themes of race and class, questioning the devastating impact of unjust laws on ordinary human lives.
This moving and emotive drama will be directed by Monique Touko following her smash-hit success School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play at the Lyric.
Content warning: Wedding Band includes references to sensitive life experiences that may impact some audience members. Click here to learn more about the themes in this production; please note, this does contain plot spoilers.
In the Press:
“Although it’s set in South Carolina in 1918, I hope people see the parallels to now. I don’t think we’ve come as far as we think we have” Monique Touko in interview with The Financial Times: Read the full interview
Key dates:
14 June – For The Culture: For The Conversation with Monique Touko & Nicholai La Barrie
Join us for an insightful post-show Q&A with Wedding Band director Monique Touko and the cast in conversation with Lyric Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie. This Q&A is open to all ticket holders of this performance (subject to availability).
20 June – For The Culture: For the Black Folks, celebrating Alice Childress
This night will provide a welcoming space for audiences with a shared lived experience to witness together a bold and unapologetic play about race. Immediately following the 7pm performance, audiences are invited to join a celebration in honour of Alice Childress and her UK premiere of Wedding Band in the Lyric Bar with DJs Shay Sade and Tone until 11pm.
