Lolita Chakrabarti

Red Velvet Lolita Chakrabarti

Marc Notes: [A play] about the nineteenth century black American actor Ira Aldridge--Page 4 of cover. Publisher Marketing: "Red Velvet" is about the nineteenth century black American actor Ira Aldridge. In a theatre dressing room in Poland, an elderly and sick Aldridge prepares to play King Lear. The intrusion of a young female journalist forces him to look back on the defining moment of his illustrious career. Thirty years previously, Edmund Kean, one of the greatest actors of his generation, collapses on the Theatre Royal stage in London, and Pierre Laporte, theatre manager and friend, asks Aldridge to replace him as Othello. At the same time Parliament is preparing to vote in favour of abolishing slavery in all British colonies. Opinions are fiercely divided. Aldridge performs successfully at the Theatre Royal but the reactions of the cast and critics are complex and divisive. He is not allowed to fulfil his engagement and the betrayal of a dear friend changes the course of his life. "Red Velvet" examines the world of the theatre, where comedy and tragedy are synonymous. The play discusses friendship, betrayal, the art of acting and prejudice. Contributor Bio:  Chakrabarti, Lolita Winner of the 2012 Most Promising Playwright "Evening Standard "award, Lolita Chakrabarti is a British actress and writer who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Her most recent theatre credits include "The Great Game, Afghanistan" for The Tricycle, "Last Seen - Joy" for the Almeida, "Free Outgoing" for the Royal Court and "John Gabriel Borkman" for the Donmar Warehouse. Her screen credits include "Vera", "Outnumbered", "Hustle", "Extras", "Christmas Special", "Holby City", "Silent Witness", "Amnesia", "William and Mary", "Fortysomething", "Bodies", and "Forgiven". She also played WPC Jamila Blake in the long running ITV drama "The Bill". Writing credits include "The Goddess for Woman's Hour" on BBC Radio 4, "Faith, Hope and Blue Charity", also on BBC Radio 4 and "Last Seen - Joy" for Slung Low and the Almeida. In 2012, her "Red Velvet "was the first play performed under the Tricycle's new artistic director Indhu Rubasingham.