RED VELVET
Lolita Chakrabarti's play, directed by Levi Gore, is a riveting and heartfelt historical drama based on a little-known, but true story. In 1833 there are riots on the streets protesting the Slavery Abolition Act. Inside the Theatre Royal, tragic actor Ira Aldridge is making history. Fresh from dazzling success in the capitals of Europe, he is about to become the first African American actor to play ‘Othello’ in London, where the play was created. The conflict inside the theater mirrors that on stage and outside: what price will artists pay for their audacity?
Director Levi Gore “is drawn to stories that celebrate exceptional individuals who have shaped our shared history and art, yet remain largely unknown to the general public, have always captivated me. Red Velvet shines a light on a man whose name, if I'm honest, I barely knew - and I suspect many, even within the theatre world, haven’t heard of him either. It’s a story about the theatre itself: our history, our progress, and the courage it takes to stand by one’s convictions in the face of resistance.
At its heart, it’s also a memory play—a portrait of a man who spent his life on stage, recalling the moments that defined him. The play feels like a fragmented, fading recollection, as if he’s reaching for something that no longer exists but refuses to let it slip away. It's a reflection of what we are all attempting to grasp: an art form that, while incredibly impactful, gripping, and dynamic, is by its nature ephemeral and primarily exists only in our hearts and collective memories.“
Bringing this play to life are actors Marcus Ivey (as ‘Ira Aldridge’), Nicee Brown, Versai Knight, Maria Latiolais, Sebastien Moulton, Parker Owen, Philip J. Shortell, and David Yakubik.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3484232-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3484232-2
