ZADIE SMITH’S DEBUT PLAY IS “A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND LOCAL LEGENDS, OF TELLING A GOOD STORY AND LIVING A LIFE WORTH TELLING.”
—THE GUARDIAN

The Wife of Willesden

Apr 1—16, 2023

BAM in association with A.R.T.
Presents
The Wife of Willesden
Adapted by Zadie Smith from Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath
Kiln Theatre
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham

 

NEW YORK PREMIERE

 

In her debut play, bestselling author Zadie Smith—whose books include the Man Booker Prize-nominated novel On Beauty— gives us Alvita, a Jamaican-born British woman in her mid-50s holding court at a North West London pub. After a sold-out, critically acclaimed run, this modern translation of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales comes to the Harvey Theater at BAM Strong.

Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, with an ensemble cast starring Clare Perkins in a stunning, exhilarating performance, this exuberant and verbally inventive play showcases the pleasures of Smith’s quick wit. Rich with frank sexuality, it celebrates free expression and the human urge both to live stories and share them.

Set and costume design by Robert Jones
Lighting design by Guy Hoare
Composition and sound design by Ben and Max Ringham
Casting by Julia Horan CDG
Movement by Imogen Knight

ZADIE SMITH’S DEBUT PLAY IS “A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND LOCAL LEGENDS, OF TELLING A GOOD STORY AND LIVING A LIFE WORTH TELLING.”
—THE GUARDIAN
Age guidance: 14+

UPCOMING Performances

      RUNNING TIME

      1hr 40min

      VENUE

      BAM Strong
      BAM Harvey Theater

      ACCESSIBILITY

      For more information and access to specific seating locations, visit BAM.org/visit/accessibility, email accessibility@BAM.org, or call 718.636.4100.

      OPEN CAPTIONING

      Performances on April 14 and 15 include open captioning provided by c2. Captioning screens are located on both sides of the theater, displaying spoken dialogue and other auditory elements that impact the experience of the production. Best visibility is from seating locations in side sections of the theater, Row K and behind.

      TICKET INFORMATION

      Tickets start at $35

      RELATED EVENTS

      Young Producers Night: The Wife of Willesden
      Thu, Apr 13 at 6pm
      Open to BAM Young Producers

      Artist Circle: An Evening with Zadie Smith
      Fri, Apr 14 at 6:30pm
      Open to BAM Artist Circle members

      BAM Members receive 20% off through January 31. No promo code needed.

      All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff. 

      BAM Members enjoy waived handling fees (Level 2+).

      Leadership support for
      BAM Access Programs
      provided by the
      Jerome L. Greene Foundation

      Leadership support for theater at BAM provided by The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.; The SHS Foundation; and The Shubert Foundation, Inc.

      • “CHARACTERISED BY AN UNUSUALLY EXUBERANT SPIRIT”
        — The Telegraph
      • “IRRESISTIBLY RAMBUNCTIOUS THEATRICAL DEBUT”
        — The Telegraph

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