Blues for an Alabama Sky
by Pearl Cleage
Booking and details
This production played in the Lyttelton Theatre, from 21 September – 5 November 2022.
‘To realise our dreams, we must wake up.’
New York, 1930. Following a decade of creative explosion, the Harlem Renaissance is starting to feel the bite of the Great Depression.
In the face of hardship and dwindling opportunity, Angel and her friends battle to keep their artistic dreams alive.
But, when Angel falls for a stranger from Alabama, their romance forces the group to make good on their ambitions, or give in to the reality of the time.
Lynette Linton directs a startling revival of this extraordinary play by Pearl Cleage.
Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange Is the New Black) makes her UK stage debut alongside a cast that includes Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Three Sisters), Osy Ikhile (Sweat), Sule Rimi (Barber Shop Chronicles) and Giles Terera (Death of England: Face to Face).
Olivier Awards 2023 Nominations
- Best Actor – Giles Terera
- Best Costume Design – Frankie Bradshaw
- Best Supporting Actor – Sule Rimi
Performed 21 September — 5 November 2022 in the Lyttelton Theatre.
Show suitability
This production is suitable for ages 14+. For detailed content and trigger warnings, read more.
Content advisory: This production contains strong language that is reflective of the era. There are guns on stage, references to abortion and loud noises.
Production supporters
The New American Work Programme is supported by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, and Lawton W Fitt and James I McLaren Foundation. Find out how you can support our work.
Reviews
‘Quite the best evening I have spent at the National in a long time.’
★★★★★
The i
‘Lynette Linton’s beautiful, light-footed production is a bittersweet delight.’
★★★★
Evening Standard
‘A transfixing production.’
★★★★
Guardian
‘A breathless whirl of Jazz Age joy.’
★★★★
Daily Telegraph
‘A wonderful bittersweet staging.’
★★★★
Financial Times
‘Giles Terera and Samira Wiley are tremendous in this stylish revival.’
★★★★
Time Out
Gallery
On stage
In rehearsal
Videos
Cast
Samira Wiley
Samira Wiley trained at The Julliard School.
Giles Terera
Giles Terera trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Sule Rimi
Productionsat the National: Three Sisters, Barber Shop Chronicles (also at Leeds Playhouse and on Australia and New Zealand tour) and The Suicide.
Osy Ikhile
For the National: Blues for an Alabama Sky
Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́
For the National Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Three Sisters
Lincoln Conway
Lincoln Conway trained at the California Institute of the Arts.
Eddie Elliott
For the National: Blues for an Alabama Sky.
Kimberley Okoye
Kimberley Okoye trained at Arts Educational Schools.
Helena Pipe
Helena Pipe trained at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University.
Production team
Playwright
Pearl Cleage
Pearl Cleage
Pearl Cleage is currently Distinguished Artist in Residence at Atlanta’s Tony Award winning Alliance Theatre.
Director
Lynette Linton
Lynette Linton
For the National: Alterations, Blues for an Alabama Sky
Set and Costume Designer
Frankie Bradshaw
Frankie Bradshaw
For the National Theatre: Alterations (upcoming), Ballet Shoes, Dear Octopus, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Hamlet for young audiences (on UK schools tour)
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Oliver Fenwick
For the National Theatre: Alterations, Dear Octopus, The Father and the Assassin, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Kerry Jackson, Tartuffe – the Imposter, The Great Wave, Ugly Lies the Bone, The Motherf*cker with the Hat, The Holy Rosenbergs and Happy Now
Composer
Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
Benjamin Kwasi Burrell is the Musical Director of the House and Garage Orchestra.
Sound Designer
George Dennis
George Dennis
For the National: Alterations, The Effect, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Nine Night (also in the West End) and An Octoroon (also for the Orange Tree)
Movement Director
Kane Husbands
Kane Husbands
Kane Husbands is the Founder and Artistic Director of The PappyShow and a Senior Lecturer at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designer
Cynthia De La Rosa
Cynthia De La Rosa
For the National: Alterations, Standing at the Sky’s Edge (also at Sheffield Crucible), Blues for an Alabama Sky and Beginning (also in the West End)
Voice and Dialect Coach
Hazel Holder
Hazel Holder
For the National Theatre: Alterations (upcoming), The Importance of Being Earnest, A Tupperware of Ashes, The Grapes of Wrath, The Hot Wing King, Death of England trilogy, The Effect, Grenfell: in the words of survivors, Trouble in Mind, Blues for an Alabama Sky, The Crucible, Rockets and Blue Lights, Death of England, Small Island, Nine Night, Barber Shop Chronicles, Angels in America, Les Blancs and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Dramatherapist
Wabriya King
Wabriya King
Wabriya King trained at the Oxford School of Drama and the University of Roehampton.
Associate Sound Designer
Johnny Edwards
Johnny Edwards
For the National Theatre: Coriolanus, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Home, I’m Darling
Staff Director