Leicester’s Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome are bringing their critically acclaimed, award-winning co-production of The Color Purple to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 October.
Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winner, Marsha Norman, The Color Purple tells the story of courageous heroine Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her unique voice in the world.
As the years go by, abused and oppressed Celie becomes resigned to her unfortunate lot in life, but when her friendship with fiercely independent Sofia and love affair with glamourous singer, Shug, start to shake things up, she begins to question her world; and understand that there must be more to life.
Leading the company as the downtrodden but full-hearted heroine Celie is Me’sha Bryan, whose previous roles have included Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic), Caroline, or Change (The Playhouse Theatre) and The Lion King (UK tour). The role of glamorous singer Shug Avery will be played by Bree Smith (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), Aaliyah Zhané (The Comedy of Errors, Mercury Theatre) joins as Celie’s sister Nettie, Harpo will be played by Ahmed Hamad (The Addams Family, UK Tour and The Boy in the Dress, RSC) and Squeak will be portrayed by Jimand Allotey, who makes her professional stage debut in the production.
The tour sees several cast members from Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s original award-winning production return, including Ako Mitchell as Mister, Anelisa Lamola as Sofia, KM Drew Boateng as Pa, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah as Darlene and Karen Mavundukure as Doris and Alternate Celie.
With a profoundly evocative score by Grammy award-winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this landmark musical celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.
Tickets for The Color Purple (25 to 29 October) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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