Cast announced for stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin’s autobiographical book COMING TO ENGLAND
Casting has been announced for the UK tour of the stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin’s much-loved and award-winning book Coming to England, which begins at Swansea Grand Theatre on 13 September.
This vibrant and energetic new play, with music from Nicoll Entertainment and MAST Mayflower Studios, tells Floella’s personal story of moving to England in the 1960s at the age of 10. Coming to England is an inspiring tale about determination and perseverance from which hope and triumph emerge during the Windrush Generation and is being adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE.
The cast for Coming to England hails from the stage and screen, and is comprised of Julene Robinson (Get Up! Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, West End), Charles Angiama (Tell Me Everything, ITV2), Maryla Abraham (gospel singer, writer, presenter, and actress), Shaquille Jack (For Black Boys Who Consider Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, West End), Solomon Gordon (Welcome To Thebes, Leeds Conservatoire), Simone Robinson (Passing Strange, Young Vic), Alexander Bellinfantie (My Bloody Galentine, Benattar/Thomas Productions), Taya Ming (Much Ado About Nothing, RSC), Jordan Stamatiadis (Sleeping Beauty, Charing Cross Theatre), Christian James (Dirty Dancing, UK Tour), Kamarane Grant (Three Little Birds, ITV), and Joe Pieri (The Roles We’ll Never Play, Clapham Grand).
At the age of just 10, Floella and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents in England. But Floella’s excitement for her new life is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s London. Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.
Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “I am overjoyed and delighted that the fantastic cast for our emotive and significant show Coming to England has now been announced. Told from the perspective of a child, this heartfelt production uses music, dance, storytelling and drama to bring to life an inspirational Windrush journey about overcoming adversity and challenges through love, family unity and the feeling of belonging. Our cast and creative team bring with them a wealth of different experiences and skills, to a show that is packed full of lessons for families to engage with, all set to an upbeat soundtrack of fun musical numbers and songs. We can’t wait to bring Coming to England to audiences across the UK.”
The new cast for this charming and optimistic play with music is supported by a renowned team of creatives including director Denzel Westley Sanderson, designer Jasmine Swan, musical director Abdul Shyllon, choreographer & movement director Kloe Dean, lighting designers Rachel Luff and Will Hayman, sound designer Beth Duke, and casting by Richard Johnston for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting.
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