Play Mas by Mustapha Matura at the Orange Tree Theatre
Paulette Randall directs the first major revival of Mustapha Matura’s 1974 play on Trinidad’s independence, which won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Premiered at the Royal Court it then transferred to the West End.
Born in Trinidad, Mustapha Matura has lived in Britain for over fifty years. He is the multi-award winning writer of Rum ‘an Coca Cola, Playboy of the Western Indies and The Coup.
Paulette Randall was the West End’s first female black director with August Wilson’s Fences with Lenny Henry. She has also directed several other notable productions in Wilson’s 10-play cycle depicting the African-American experience including Gem of the Ocean, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running and King Hedley II. She was Associate Director of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and Artistic Director of Talawa, Britain’s foremost Black-led theatre company.
Play Mas
Play Mas is set in 1950s Port of Spain. Samuel, a young tailor’s assistant, dreams of Trinidad’s independence.
On the eve of carnival everyone fills the streets, dressed up to play mas. This annual celebration turns to tragedy and spurs Samuel on to make a decision that will change the political landscape of the future of this vibrant, volatile island.
First major revival
Play Mas BY MUSTAPHA MATURA
Director Paulette Randall | Designer Libby Watson
Cast Lori Barker, Llewella Gideon, Kevin N Golding, Rob Heanley, Melanie La Barrie, David Monteith, Johann Myers, Kirris Riviere, Victor Romero Evans, Seun Shote
Play Mas by Mustapha Matura Dates
11 Mar – 11 Apr 2015
Times: Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm | Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm (not 12 & 14 Mar)
No performance Mon 6 April
Post-show talks Thu 26 Mar 2.30pm | Thu 2 Apr 7.30pm
Audio-described performances Tue 31 Mar 7.30pm | Sat 4 Apr 2.30pm
Ticket Prices
Mon eves, matinees & previews (first two performances) £15
Tue – Sat eves £20
UNDER 30S £10 TICKETS AVAILABLE TUE – THU EVES
Standing £10 (when all seats have been sold)
Concessions £15 (Tue – Thu eves) for Over 60s, Students, Job Seekers Allowance, Equity, BECTU, and Writers & Directors Guild Members
Audio-described patrons £10
Groups 12+ 10% off (excluding Sat eves)
Orange Tree Theatre
1 Clarence Street, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2SA
Box Office: Visit www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk or call 020 8940 3633 (open 10am to 6.30pm Mon-Sat).
Transport: One minute from Richmond Station (District Line, London Overground and South West Trains to/from Waterloo).
Twitter @OrangeTreeThtr #PlayMas
