'Slave Play' writer Jeremy O. Harris has expressed confidence in the casting of 'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington for the West End run of the production, assuring that it won't be a distraction. Harris revealed that Harington was recommended by fellow 'Game of Thrones' star Gwendoline Christie and emphasized that Harington did not want the play to become 'the Jon Snow experience.' Harris stated that Harington acknowledged the weight of his name and the potential for it to overshadow the ensemble nature of the play.
'Slave Play' delves into themes of race, identity, and sexuality in contemporary America, unfolding at the MacGregor Plantation where the Old South's legacy persists. The narrative follows three interracial couples engaging in 'Antebellum Sexual Performance Therapy' to revitalize their relationships. Originally staged in 2018 at New York Theatre Workshop, the play later moved to Broadway's John Golden Theatre in 2019, garnering 12 Tony Award nominations and setting a record for the most Tony-nominated non-musical play.
The production is now making its way to London's West End, scheduled to run from June 29 to September 21 at the Noël Coward Theatre. Alongside Harington, the cast features talented actors such as Fisayo Akinade, Aaron Heffernan, Olivia Washington, James Cusati-Moyer, Chalia La Tour, Annie McNamara, and Irene Sofia Lucio.
In a recent interview, Harris critiqued the trend of relying on big names to lead theater productions, despite Harington's involvement in 'Slave Play.' Harris expressed his belief that commercial theater should not solely depend on celebrity star power, as it can overshadow the essence of great theater.
During the show's run, two Black Out nights are scheduled on July 17 and September 17, aimed at providing an exclusive space for an all-Black-identifying audience to engage with and discuss the performance without the 'white gaze.'
'Slave Play' is a collaborative effort by Empire Street Productions, Seaview, and bb², directed by Robert O'Hara. The play continues to spark conversations and challenge conventional norms in the realm of contemporary theater.
