Sherman Theatre has confirmed a week of extra performances of THE WOMEN OF LLANRUMNEY – Azuka Oforka’s devastating historical drama set in the Llanrumney sugar plantation in 18th century Jamaica – at the theatre in April/May.
The original Sherman Theatre production was performed to sell-out audiences at the theatre in Cardiff May-June 2024, and drew rave reviews (★★★★★ “marks Oforka as an urgent and important voice in Welsh theatre” The Guardian).
This year’s co-production with Stratford East in London, where the play has just completed a hugely successful and acclaimed run, is no exception (★★★★ The Daily Telegraph, The Stage, The Standard, The Financial Times).
The Women of Llanrumney returns to the Sherman Theatre Studio in Cardiff on 26th April, but since all of those performances have sold out, the run has now been extended beyond 10 May to 17 May. Tickets for the extra performances are on sale now.
The Llanrumney plantation was founded by enslaver Sir Henry Morgan, who was originally from Llanrumney in Cardiff – hence its name – in the late 1600s. Seeing a portrait of him in Cardiff inspired Azuka to explore the consequences and legacy of Morgan’s role as an enslaver. The Women of Llanrumney sheds light on this hidden chapter of Welsh history and explores the experience of women during slavery; those who benefited from it, those who were brutalised by it and those who fought to destroy it.
1765. Cerys and her mother Annie are enslaved by the wealthy Morgan family from Wales. Their future hangs in the balance when Elizabeth Morgan is faced with losing her plantation. Fearing what could lie ahead, Annie does everything she can to secure her position in the Great House. But sooner or later, with a storm of rebellion building, Annie will have to face up to the horror and trauma all around her, including her own.
Returning to their roles in the 2025 co-production are Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Suzanne Packer as the slave Annie, Nia Roberts as Elizabeth Morgan, a fictional descendant of Henry Morgan, and Matthew Gravelle as Simon Taylor and other roles. Shvorne Marks joins the cast, playing Annie’s daughter Cerys.
The original creative team returns; Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Patricia Logue as Director, Set & Costume Designer Stella-Jane Odoemelam, Lighting Designer Andy Pike, Composer Takisha Sargent and Sound Designer Ian Barnard.
THE WOMEN OF LLANRUMNEY gets to the Sherman Theatre from 26th April through to 17th May. Choose your price – all seating in the Studio is unreserved. Choose the price you want to pay for your ticket from the three standard options available £20, £24 or £28 (each option has an under 25 and concessionary equivalent). For more details and tickets go HERE.
