Lenny Henry leads cast of Stratford East's King Hedley II

Lenny Henry is to lead the cast of August Wilson's King Hedley II at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Lenny Henry

The Theatre Royal Stratford East has announced that Artistic Director Nadia Fall will direct Lenny Henry as smooth-talking hustler Elmore in King Hedley II.

1980s Pittsburgh, a city in decay. Against the backdrop of Reagan’s America, King, an ex-con, is trying to rebuild his life and start a family. He’s got hopes and dreams of opening a video store and building a new life. If only he can get ten thousand dollars together if only he can catch a break. In his dusty backyard, he plots and plans with his friend Mister, but is this all a pipe dream? August Wilson’s touching and angry King Hedley II is a quest for redemption for one man and a whole community.

Joining Lenny are Dexter Flanders (Mister), Martina Laird (Ruby), Aaron Pierre (King Hedley), Cherrelle Skeete (Tonya) and Leo Wringer (Stool Pigeon).

Nadia Fall, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East said: “I am thrilled to announce such a brilliant cast for what is surely one of August Wilson’s most hard-hitting plays, a story which is as relevant today as when it was first written. This is the first time a Wilson play has been performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East and it feels like a perfect fit.”

August Wilson (1945–2005) was an American playwright. He won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for his play Fences and earned a second Pulitzer Prize for The Piano Lesson. His other notable works include Seven Guitars, Gem of the Ocean, Jitney and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

King Hedley II has set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison and fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of Rc-Annie Ltd.

King Hedley II will run at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 17 May - 15 June 2019.

BOOK TICKETS TO KING HEDLEY II