Kiln Theatre announces THE WIFE OF WILLESDEN extension due to public demand and New York premiere

Kiln Theatre have announced a two-week extension for Zadie Smith’s critically acclaimed smash-hit The Wife of Willesden due to public demand – now running at Kiln Theatre until 11 February 2023.

Directed by Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham, the production sees Clare Perkins reprising her role as Alvita.

Further casting includes: Marcus Adolphy as Winston/Mandela/Black Jesus, George Eggay as Pastor/Eldridge, Andrew Frame as Ian/Socrates/Bartosz, Troy Glasgow as Darren/Young Maroon, Claudia Grant as Polly/Sophie, Nikita Johal as Asma/Kelly, Scott Miller as Ryan/Colin, Jessica Murrain as Author/Zaire/Queen Nanny, Ellen Thomas as Aunty P/Old Wife and Sophie Cartman as Understudy Alvita & Aunty P/Old Wife – US Only.

Kiln Theatre also announces the production’s New York première at the Harvey Theater at the BAM Strong in Brooklyn from 1-16 April 2023. This follows the already announced stateside dates at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University from 25 February-18 March.

Indhu Rubasingham said: “We are thrilled today to be extending the run of Zadie’s adaptation of The Wife of Willesden, and have been delighted by the enthusiasm shown by audiences for its return to Kiln. For this piece, proudly set in Brent, to be heading to both Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and the American Repertory Theatre (ART) is extremely exciting – and we can’t wait to continue the journey from Kiln to the USA!”

A proper local legend. Married five times. Mother. Lover. Aunt. Friend. Alvita will tell her life story to anyone in the pub – there’s no shame in her game. The question is: are you ready to hear it? Because this woman’s got the gift of the gab: she can rewrite mistakes into triumphs, turn pain into parables, and her love life’s an epic poem. They call her The Wife of Willesden…

A play that celebrates the human knack for telling elaborate tales, especially about our own lives.

The production is designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Guy Hoare, composition and sound by Ben and Max Ringham, movement direction by Imogen Knight, and casting by Julia Horan CDG.

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