KILN THEATRE, FUEL AND BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENT
THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL
By Inua Ellams
- CAST ANNOUNCED: RAKIE AYOLA AND KWAMI ODOOM WILL PLAY THE CHARACTERS OF MODUPE AND DEMI DIRECTED BY NANCY MEDINA
- TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR INUA ELLAMS’ NEW PLAY AT BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE FROM APRIL 13th – APRIL 20th AND KILN THEATRE FROM APRIL 25th – MAY 17th.
‘For thousands of years, Gods enjoyed full dominion over the lives of men. As prayers dwindled, Gods felt their power cut’
Casting has been announced for Nancy Medina’s forthcoming production of Inua Ellams’ new play The Half-God of Rainfall. Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will play Modupe, mother to her half-god son Demi who will be played by Kwami Odoom (Barber Shop Chronicles). This world premiere production will be directed by Nancy Medina, designed by Max Johns, with movement direction by Imogen Knight, sound design by Tanuja Amarasuriya, lighting design by Jackie Shemesh and casting by Briony Barnett.
Modupe, cursed with extraordinary beauty, draws the unwanted attention of the Greek and Yoruba gods. Her son Demi, half Nigerian-mortal, half Olympian child, is bestowed with powers; one of them manifests in the game of basketball. When he unknowingly sparks Zeus’ wrath, Modupe tries to protect him from the capricious whims of the gods.
Inua Ellams writes this contemporary saga that weaves poetry with storytelling in a majestic, chaotic journey across mythologies that transports us from a tiny village in Southern Nigeria to the further reaches of our galaxy and beyond.
This production is a collaboration between Kiln Theatre, Fuel and Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is Ellams’ next play since Barber Shop Chronicles.
Rakie Ayola
Rakie’s recent theatre work includes: Leave To Remain (Lyric Hammersmith), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (The Palace Theatre), The Rest of Your Life (Bush Theatre), King Lear (Royal Exchange/Talawa), Crave/4:48 Psychosis (Sheffield Crucible), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National at The Apollo), The Winter’s Tale (RSC). Recent television includes:Noughts and Crosses (ITC/BBC), Shetland (ITV/BBC), No Offence (Abbott Vision/Channel 4),King Lear (Talawa/BBC4) Film includes: Been So Long (Netflix), Dredd (DNA Films), Now Is Good(BBC Films), Sahara (Paramount). Rakie is Patron of @ChildhoodTT, @MelqoshM and @eclipsetcl.
Kwami Odoom
Kwami Odoom’s work in theatre includes: BOYS (The PappyShow/Vaults); A Christmas Carol(Royal Shakespeare Company); Queen Margaret (Royal Exchange); Barber Shop Chronicles(National Theatre); DNA, Pigeon English, and Romeo and Juliet, (National Youth Theatre REP Company). Television includes: The Athena (Sky Kids / Brycoed Productions); The Rook(Lionsgate); and Doctors (BBC).
Film includes: A Family Affair (Florence Keith-Roach)
LISTINGS
The Half-God of Rainfall
By Inua Ellams
Supported by London Community Foundation & Cockayne – Grants for the Arts.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
13 April – 20 April 2019
7.45pm (except 16 April at 7pm)
Press night: 16 April
Tickets: From £15
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
0121 236 4455
Kiln Theatre
25 April – 17 May 2019
7.30pm / 2.30pm (Wednesday and Saturday)
Press night: 30 April
Tickets: From £10
www.kilntheatre.com
020 7328 1000