Denzil Washington starred in the Broadway revival of A Raisin In The Sun, Sidney Poitier in the 1961 film, but the classic American tale by Lorraine Hansberry has largely gone unheeded in the UK.
Until now that is, Headlong currently touring the captivating story of an African-American family struggling with poverty, racism and a better way of life, which is coming to Oxford Playhouse from Wednesday in a production that’s already making waves.
Set during the civil rights movement, the play opens to reveal the family waiting for a life insurance policy cheque. Much discussion ensues about how to ensure the family fortunes stay buoyant, set against a darker environment of racism and societal inequalities.
Here to tell us all about it is Solomon Israel who plays the entrepreneurial Walter Lee entrusted with investing the family fortunes.
“When I first read the script for A Raisin In The Sun I realised what an incredible story it was. It has so much depth and humour, and is full of surprises, so it was an absolute privilege to be cast,” Solomon says.
‘A Raisin In The Sun is fundamentally about the experience of being a human being so resonates with everyone’
“It’s a real train ride of a play, that leaves the audience with lots of questions to take away and I like that because it’s fundamentally about the experience of being a human being which resonates with everyone. And while it deals with racism and discrimination, there are so many threads to follow and lots of food for thought.”
“I like a play with lots of surprises, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but there is also a lot of laughter. It hits you like a tonne of bricks and makes you laugh, cry and everything in between,” he explains.
‘It hits you like a tonne of bricks and makes you laugh, cry and everything in between’
Playing the entrepreneurial Walter therefore takes a lot of energy, but Solomon say that A Raisin In The Sun is an actors dream of a play because it has so much depth – so much sadness and positivity. Plus, Walter is such an iconic role and I want to do that justice and find his truth on stage,” he says
Oxford Playhouse is also the new ‘home ground’ for Headlong, welcomed back to the city in which they formed as Oxford Stage Company 50 years ago, with Raisin In The Sun which runs from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 October.
We just want as many people as possible to come and see A Raisin In The Sun because it has such a big impact, so spread the word
“We just want as many people as possible to come and see A Raisin In The Sun because it has such a big impact, so spread the word!” Solomon says.
Tickets for A Raisin in the Sun at Oxford Playhouse start from £14 and are available at the Box Office on 01865 305305 or to book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
