Floella Benjamin and Omar Okai. Picture: Geraint Lewis
Birmingham Rep has confirmed new dates for the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin’s award-winning book Coming To England.
Adapted by acclaimed playwright David Wood, the inspirational story of the much-loved children’s entertainer who arrived in the UK from Trinidad in the 1960s, will now run from 31 March until 16 April 2022.
Announcing the revised dates, Birmingham Rep’s artistic director Sean Foley said: Foley said: “Coming To England is a family show, and from the very beginning The Rep has shared Floella Benjamin’s aim of welcoming an intergenerational family audience to the theatre to enjoy this world premiere adaptation of her autobiography.
“Given the worrying rise of the Omicron Covid variant before Christmas and knowing that this has posed risks and problems to families getting together, The Rep has made the decision to move Coming To England into the spring – when hopefully families will be able to come together in confidence to enjoy this inspiring story.”
Directed and choreographed by Omar Okai, the creative team for the production also includes creative consultant Tyrone Huggins, set and lighting designer Bretta Gerecke, sound designer Annie May Fletcher, casting director Annelie Powell and associate producer Keith Taylor.
Commenting on the stage version of her story, Benjamin said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the musical production of my book Coming To England which has been adapted by the fantastic award-winning playwright David Wood, will have its world premiere at The REP early next year. I cannot wait to see the story about my experiences arriving in the UK come to life on the stage in front of audiences of all ages. What a wonderful way for a new generation of people to get to know this Windrush story.”
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.