This summer, catch the world premiere of Benedict Lombe’s Lava as it opens at London’s Bush Theatre. What started as part of the theatre’s Protest Series — in response to the murder of George Floyd — has now been reimagined as a full-length play.
What is Lava about?
This is nice, init? I like it. Good little set-up to tell you the story of my name. The story of my true name.
When a woman receives an unexpected letter from the British Passport Office, she is forced to confront an old mystery: why does her South African passport not carry her first name? Armed with the wisdom of 90’s TV shows, she sets out on a journey that will take her back to the turmoil of Mobutu’s Congo, growing up in post-Apartheid South Africa, moving to Ireland, and finding love in a hostile England.
As her journey becomes inextricably linked with the tides of global history, how far will she go to unravel the truth? Wickedly funny and strikingly lyrical, Benedict Lombe’s Lava is an explosive debut that will turn the way you see the world on its axis.
Lava is performed by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Three Sisters, National Theatre; Alex Rider, Amazon Prime) and written by Benedict Lombe, a Congolese-British writer and theatre-maker based in London.
Not able to get to London to see the show? No problem, it’ll be broadcast online this August, so you can watch it from the comfort of your home.
Looking for more theatre shows for the summer? Try these!
When: 9th July – 7th August 2021. There’s a captioned performance on 22nd July and an audio-described performance on 29th July. And will be broadcast online, 16th – 21st August.
Where: At Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 8LJ and online
£: Tickets cost from £20 (concessions are available)
More info: bushtheatre.co.uk
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