The Return Of Benjamin Lay
by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker
by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker
The Return of Benjamin Lay is a compelling theatrical exploration of the abolitionist's life, featuring Mark Povinelli's powerful portrayal of the 4ft tall revolutionary who confronts the Quaker community that disowned him.
About The Play
About The Play
★★★★ Four Stars, North West End UK
2023. A Quaker meeting house on the Finborough Road – or is it a theatre?
Benjamin Lay – shepherd, sailor, prophet, and the British Empire’s first revolutionary abolitionist – returns from the grave almost 300 years after his death, as feisty and unpredictable as ever.
A 4ft tall “Little David” confronts the “Goliath” of slavery once again as he pleads to be readmitted into the Quaker community that has disowned him and who still believe him to be dangerous.
Now, “trembling at the edge of playing God himself”, how far will Benjamin go as he stares down his accusers?
Continuing a unique decade-long collaboration between multi-award-winning playwright Naomi Wallace and multi-award-winning historian Marcus Rediker, featuring acclaimed American actor Mark Povinelli and directed by RSC Honorary Associate Director Ron Daniels, The Return of Benjamin Lay sweeps across the centuries in a bold exploration of an utterly impossible man.
FOR INFORMATION ON ACCESSIBILITY AT THE FINBOROUGH THEATRE, CLICK HERE.
More Detail
Cast
Crew
Director
Ron Daniels
Producer
Presented by Arsalan Sattari Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre.
Set Designer
Riccardo Hernandez Isobel Nicolson
Costume Designer
Isobel Nicolson
Lighting Design
Anthony Doran
Sound Design
John Leonard
Movement Consultant
Bill Irwin
Assistant Director
Martha J. Baldwin
Supported by:
Proudly Supported by University of Pittsburgh.
With Thanks to Irish Rectory NYC Theatre,
and LIFT