FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SAM SELVON’S
THE LONELY LONDONERS ADAPTED BY ROY WILLIAMS
AT KILN THEATRE
ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY, THE PRODUCTION EXTENDS
Kiln Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre today announce the full cast for the critically acclaimed production of Sam Selvon’s The Lonely Londoners adapted by Roy Williams. Ebenezer Bamgboye directs Tobi Bakare, Shannon Hayes, Solomon Israel, Gilbert Kyem Jnr, Carol Moses, Aimée Powell and Romario Simpson.
Due to popular demand the production extends its run; The Lonely Londoners opens at Kiln Theatre on 16 January, with previews from 10 January, and now runs until 22 February.
Director, Ebenezer Bamgboye said today, “Sam Selvon’s novel, The Lonely Londoners, is a timeless masterpiece. Having been so lucky to have been given the opportunity to channel it through the medium of theatre once already, I feel doubly lucky for the opportunity to return back to it a second time, at a perfect venue, alongside a truly stellar group of actors and creatives.”
Kiln Theatre & Jermyn Street Theatre present
THE LONELY LONDONERS
by Sam Selvon
adapted by Roy Williams
10 January – 22 February
Director: Ebenezer Bamgboye; Set Designer: Laura Ann Price; Costume Designer: Anett Black; Lighting Designer: Elliot Griggs; Sound Designer: Tony Gayle; Movement Director: Nevena Stojkov; Voice and Dialect Coach: Hazel Holder; Casting Director: Abby Galvin; Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director: Imy Wyatt Corner; Associate Sound Designer: Bella Kear; Literary Consultant: Susheila Nasta
The critically acclaimed adaptation of Sam Selvon’s iconic novel.
1950s London. Newly arrived from Trinidad, Henry ‘Sir Galahad’ Oliver is impatient to start his new life in London. Carrying just pyjamas and a toothbrush, he bursts through Moses Aloetta’s door only to find Moses and his friends already soured on city life. Will the London fog dampen Galahad’s dreams? Or will these Lonely Londoners make a home in a city that sees them as a threat?
Following its sold out run at Jermyn Street Theatre, Roy Williams’ adaptation of Sam Selvon’s iconic novel, The Lonely Londoners, comes to Kiln. Ebenezer Bamgboye’s critically acclaimed production opens a window into the hopes, dream and realities of generation Windrush.
Tobi Bakare plays Lewis. His theatre credits include Gone Too Far! (Royal Court) and Greenland (National Theatre). His television credits include Malpractice, Death in Paradise, Outlander, The Shadowline and The Tunnel; and for film, Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Shannon Hayes plays Agnes. Her theatre credits include Bitter Lemons (Park Theatre, Bristol Old Vic), Raya (Hampstead Theatre), The Seven Pomegranate Seeds (Rose Theatre), The Gift (Eclipse Theatre) and The Ridiculous Darkness (Gate Theatre). Her television credits include Vigil, I Hate Suzie, Ted Lasso, Years and Years, Big Boy, Cold Feet, Kiss Me First and Undercover; and for film, Born to Run.
Solomon Israel plays Moses. His theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun (Lyric Hammersmith), Jitney (The Old Vic, Leeds Playhouse), Anna Karenina (Sheffield Crucible), Ravens: Spassky VS Fischer (Hampstead Theatre), Barber Shop Chronicles (National Theatre US Tour), Miss Littlewood, The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich, The Duchess of Malfi, Kingdom Come, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors (RSC), The Pulverised, Octagon (Arcola Theatre) and The Dutchman (Young Vic). His television credits include Testament, Signora Volpe, Death in Paradise, In the Long Run, The Dumping Ground, Lovesick, Doctor Who, Josh, Brothers with No Game and Law and Order: UK; and for film, Blockhead and Played and Betrayed.
Gilbert Kyem Jnr plays Big City. His theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun (Lyric Hammersmith), Hamlet, Oresteia (Almeida Theatre, Park Avenue Armoury) and Never Not Once (Park Theatre). His television credits include Rivals; and for short film, Patrick and Green Space.
Carol Moses plays Tanty. Her theatre credits include Clockwork (National Theatre), Unseen Unheard (Theatre Peckham), Hoxton St (Hoxton Hall) and Black Mime Theatre (international tour). Her television credits include Crongton, Renegade Nell, Supacell, Perrin and A Class Apart.
Aimée Powell plays Christina. Her theatre credits include Family Tree, Crongton Knights, Night Light (UK tours), Freeman (International Tour), Nothello (Belgrade Theatre) Feed the Beast (Birmingham Rep) and Jump! We’ll Catch You (Birmingham Rep). Her television credits include Seaview (Strictly Arts/Amazon Prime) and Doctors (BBC). Aimée has also just finished filming a guest role on a new series for Black Dog Television.
Romario Simpson plays Galahad. His theatre credits include Syndrome (Tristan Bates Theatre), Sket (Park Theatre), Think (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), And Then There Was War (Stratford Circus Theatre) and Reflection: Scratch Me If You Can (The Vaults). His television credits include Granite Harbour, Riches, Django, Andor, Small Axe: Lover’s Rock, Timewasters and Dixi.
Sam Selvon (1923 – 1994) was a Trinidadian novelist. He is best known for his novels, including Moses Ascending (1975), A Brighter Sun (1952), Ways of Sunlight (1957), Turn Again Tiger (1958) and Those Who Eat the Cascadura (1972). His other works include short stories, poetry, essays, plays.
Roy Williams is an award-winning playwright. He returns to Kiln Theatre, following the recent NW Trilogy. His other recent plays include Death of England: Closing Time, Death of England (National Theatre), 846 (Theatre Royal Stratford East and GDIF), Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads (Chichester Festival Theatre/National Theatre), The Fellowship, The Firm, Wildefire (Hampstead Theatre, Downstairs), Soul: The Untold Story of Marvin Gaye (Royal and Derngate / Hackney Empire), Antigone (Pilot Theatre / UK tour), Advice for the Young at Heart (Theatre Centre), an adaptation of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Pilot Theatre/ UK Tour), Sucker Punch (Royal Court Theatre, nominated for Olivier Award for Best Play), Kingston ‘14 (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and Category B (Kiln Theatre).
Ebenezer Bamgboye is the current Programming Associate at Southwark Playhouse and was the Carne Deputy Director of Jermyn Street Theatre 2021-22. As a director, his credits include The Cherry Orchard (RADA), Under The Kunde Tree (Southwark Playhouse), Julius Caesar (GSA), Little Sweet Thing (LAMDA), The Anarchist, Two Horsemen (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Boys Cry (Riverside Studios). As Associate Director – Faustus: That Damned Woman (tour); and as Assistant Director, A Very Expensive Poison (The Old Vic), Three Sisters (Almeida Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and Steel (Sheffield Theatres).
Kiln Theatre
Listings
269 Kilburn High Road, London, UK, NW6 7JR
Box Office: 020 7328 1000
THE PURISTS
14 November – 21 December 2024
Tickets £15 – £40
Access performances:
Audio Described 19 December, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour
Captioned 9 December, 7.30pm
Relaxed 14 December, 2.30pm
THE LONELY LONDONERS
10 January – 22 February 2025
Tickets £15 – £40
Access performances:
Audio Described 13 February, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour
Captioned 3 February, 7.30pm
Relaxed 8 February, 2.30pm
SHANGHAI DOLLS
3 April – 10 May 2025
Tickets £15 – £40
Audio Described 8 May, 7.30pm
Captioned 28 April, 7.30pm
Relaxed 3 May, 2.30pm
Touch Tour 8 May, 6pm
Age Guidance: 14+
Under 26 – £10 (subject to availability)
Access, Over 65, Local, Student and Group rates available, for further details, please see the website.
Subsidised tickets
We offer free tickets and exclusive discounts to those who can’t afford to come. If you fit any of the below criteria, get in touch and we can help you get a ticket.
If you are homeless, out of work or receive Housing Benefits, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (valid ID, statements or proof of universal tax credit will be required when collecting tickets).
Employees of NHS, Police Force, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, The Coastguard, RNLI, Prison Officers or Social Care Workers (valid ID payslip and name badges will be required when collecting tickets).
Email [email protected]