REVIEW: Red Velvet, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭

Red Velvet at the Garrick Theatre

Red Velvet touches on a number of very difficult subjects regarding race, and does so in a compelling and thoughtful manner. The play is generally well written – with a number of excellent touches – and this production contains a host of fine performances, not least Adrian Lester as Ira Aldridge. Nevertheless, Aldridge is an incomplete protagonist, and too many aspects of his life are told to us, rather than shown. This means that, in spite of the play’s many strong qualities, it cannot achieve its full dramatic potential.

Adrian Lester Joins Kenneth Branagh Company In Red Velvet

Adrian Lester to star in Red Velvet with Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company

It has been announced this morning a production of the play Red Velvet will be joining the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season at the Garrick Theatre. BOOK NOW FOR RED VELVET Red Velvet imagines experiences based on the true story of Ira Aldridge. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre? This multi-award winning play, which originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, before transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York, will be the third production in the Plays at the Garrick Season and will be directed by Indhu Rubasingha. Olivier-Award winner Adrian Lester will reprise … Read more