Casting has been announced for a new staging of the family drama Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, which will be directed by Tinuke Craig.
The co-production will open at Leeds Playhouse in September before transferring to Oxford Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith and Nottingham Playhouse.
Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman will play Beneatha, Cash Holland will be Ruth, Solomon Israel will take the role of Walter Lee and Nottingham-born Jonah Russell will play Karl. Further casting is to be announced, including sets of children who will alternate the role of Travis.
The creative team comprises set designer Cécile Trémolières, costume designer Maybelle Laye, composer and sound designer Max Pappenheim, lighting designer Joshua Pharo, movement director Sarita Piotrowski, fight and intimacy director Haruka Kuroda, voice and dialect coach Aundrea Fudge, associate director Phillipe Cato, design associate Ruta Irbite, lighting associate Luke Haywood and casting director Lotte Hines.
A Raisin in the Sun broke barriers in 1959 as the first play by a black woman on Broadway. This “classic family drama full of humour and heart remains relevant and powerful in a world still divided by inequality”.
Director Craig said, “it’s a privilege to once again work alongside the creative powerhouse that is Headlong in their 50th year while continuing my ongoing artistic associate role with Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Now the time is right to bring Lorraine Hansberry’s classic back to the stage in a relevant, fresh new production for today.”
A Raisin in the Sun will run at Leeds Playhouse from Friday 13 until Saturday 28 September, Oxford Playhouse from Wednesday 2 until Saturday 5 October, Lyric Hammersmith from Tuesday 8 October until Saturday 2 November and Nottingham Playhouse from Tuesday 5 until Saturday 16 November.