Leicester’s Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome are to tour their co-production of the musical The Color Purple to six cities across England and Wales in autumn 2022.
The Color Purple was originally staged in 2019. During lockdown in spring 2021 Curve reunited the company for a digital production of the show which was streamed by more than 20,000 people in the UK and Ireland.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “Tinuke Craig’s exquisite production of The Color Purple goes from strength to strength.
“We’re thrilled audiences across the country will be able to experience this incredible story and the power of this beautiful, life-affirming musical.”
Based on Alice Walker’s novel and adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray, The Color Purple tells the story of Celie who was abused and oppressed throughout her youth.
She goes on a journey of joy, despair, anguish and hope, discovering her own unique voice thanks to the incredible women in her life. From an unbreakable bond with her sister Nettie to friendship with fiercely independent Sofia and a life-changing affair with glamorous singer Shug Avery, Celie learns to love herself.
Birmingham Hippodrome will open the tour from 13 to 17 September. The production will then visit Theatre Royal Plymouth from 27 September until 1 October, Northampton’s Royal and Derngate from 4 until 8 October, The Lowry in Salford from 11 until 15 October, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 18 until 22 October, Mayflower Theatre Southampton from 25 until 29 October and Norwich Theatre Royal from 1 until 5 November.