Full Cast Announced for Talawa Theatre's UK Tour of MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL, Including Martina Laird and Jude Akuwudike

Full casting has been announced for Talawa Theatre Company's restaging of the National Theatre production of Errol John's MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL. Directed by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, the production welcomes back acclaimed actress Martina Laird (Casualty and Shameless) as Sophie, Jude Akuwudike (The Faith Machine at the Royal Court) as Charlie, and Ray Emmet Brown (A Raisin in the Sun at the Royal Exchange) as Prince. The production will begin a UK tour at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on Wednesday 5 February 2014.

Also reprising their roles from the acclaimed 2012 production are Trevor Michael Georges (Swallows and Amazons at the Bristol Old Vic) as Ketch, Tahirah Sharif (Casualty and Whitechapel) as Esther, and Burt Caesar (Skyfall) as old Mack. Joining the cast for the 2014 tour are Shaun Blackstock, Ozzie Morro, Bethan Mary-James, Alisha Bailey, and Samuel Lloyd.

In Port of Spain, Trinidad, the snatches of calypso music, hymn tunes and drums are interrupted by the raucous celebrations of troops returning from war. Here, neighbours drink, bawl, make love, look out for each other and crave a better life. But Ephraim is no dreamer and nothing, not even the seductive Rosa, is going to stop him escaping his dead-end job for a fresh start in England.

Martina Laird is best known for her role as Comfort Jones in the BBC series Casualty. Other TV credits include Coronation Street, Missing, Shameless, My Family and A Touch of Frost. For stage she has appeared in the National Theatre productions of Moon on a Rainbow Shawl and The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder, and for the RSC she has appeared in The White Devil, Three Hours After Marriage, and Troilus and Cressida.

MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL is directed by Talawa Theatre Company's Artistic Director Michael Buffong whose theatre credits include the Talawa/Royal Exchange Theatre production of Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS (Royal Exchange, Manchester), GOD'S PROPERTY (Talawa/Soho Theatre), THE SERPENT'S TOOTH (Talawa/Almeida Theatre), and the multi award-winning productions of A RAISIN IN THE SUN and PRIVATE LIVES (Royal Exchange Theatre).

Talawa Theatre Company is the UK's primary black-led theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, Talawa aims to create work informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience, invest in talent, build audiences and inspire dialogue with and within communities across Britain.

Produced in association with the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

National Press Night: Friday 7 February 2014 at 7.45pm, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

For further information visit www.talawa.com or www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

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