Cast revealed for Katori Hall revival in Northampton

Published: 7 December 2018
Reporter: Steve Orme

Gabrielle Brooks plays schoolgirl Alphonsine Credit: Kayi Ushe

Gabrielle Brooks, Michelle Asante and Ery Nzaramba will lead the cast of Northampton Royal and Derngate’s UK première of Katori Hall’s Our Lady of Kibeho.

Taking the part of schoolgirl Alphonsine is Gabrielle Brooks who played Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Young Vic in October 2018.

Michelle Asante, who was Salima in Lynn Nottage’s Ruined at the Almeida in 2010, is Sister Evangelique and Ery Nzaramba, who has collaborated extensively with Peter Brook, leading the casts of Theatre des Bouffes du Nord international tours, plays Father Tuyishime.

The cast also features Michaela Blackburn, Ibinabo Jack, Pepter Lunkuse, Michael Mears, Keenan Munn-Francis, Yasmin Mwanza, Rima Nsubuga, Ewart James Walters and Leo Wringer. The professional cast is complemented by the Royal and Derngate community ensemble and members of the theatre’s young company.

Our Lady of Kibeho is set in Rwanda in 1981. Schoolgirl Alphonsine claims the Virgin Mary has appeared to her in the village of Kibeho, warning of the unimaginable: her country becoming hell on earth.

Royal and Derngate artistic director James Dacre directs. Designer is Jonathan Fensom. Lighting design is by Charles Balfour, sound design by Claire Windsor, movement direction by Diane Alison-Mitchell, musical direction by Michael Henry and aerial direction by Vicki Amedume of contemporary circus company Upswing. Illusions are created by magical consultant John Bulleid. Choreography is by Diane Alison Mitchell and photography by Paul Watson.

Our Lady of Kibeho runs on the Royal stage from Saturday 12 January until Saturday 2 February 2019. Press night will be Wednesday 16 February.

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