Cast and creative team announced for theatre production of Sir Lenny Henry’s book
Birmingham Rep and Polka Theatre have announced the casting and creative team for the world premiere of Sir Lenny Henry’s best-selling book The Boy With Wings.
The Rep co-production with Polka Theatre is adapted by writer Arvind Ethan David and directed by Daniel Bailey, and comes to Birmingham this August.
The production is recommended for children aged 7 to 12 years and opens at Polka Theatre from Saturday 21 June to Saturday 16 August, before transferring to Birmingham Rep from Thursday 21 to Saturday 30 August.
The cast of The Boy With Wings includes Adiel Boboye (Their Name Is Joy, Theatre Peckham) as Tunde; Millie Elkins-Green (The Light Princess, LAStheatre) as Kylie; Jessica Murrain (Wonder Boy, UK tour) as Juba, alongside Stephan Boyce (Richard II, Bridge Theatre) as Aaven, with further casting to be announced soon.
Sir Lenny Henry said: “Just two months to go until my children’s book The Boy With Wings will be transported LIVE on stage! First at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon and then at the Birmingham Rep. It’s so important for children to experience live theatre, and this is going to be totally cool – a really fun show for the whole family to enjoy.
“There’s nothing quite like the magic of seeing a story come to life on stage – it sparks imagination, inspires creativity, and creates unforgettable memories. Perfect for those who know the book to see the characters brought to life, but also an exciting, out-of-this-world adventure for anyone coming to the story fresh.
“Come and watch Tunde and his friends in this epic live experience!”
The Boy With Wings is brought to the stage with set and costume design by Laura McEwen (Oh No, George, UK tour), sound design by Khalil Madovi (Animal Farm, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse, Nottingham Playhouse), lighting and video design by Gillian Tan (Mind Mangler, Apollo Theatre, New York, Virgin Cruises, UK Tour), with movement direction from Gabrielle Nimo (Sleepova, Bush Theatre).
Artistic director, Joe Murphy and deputy artistic director of Birmingham Rep, Madeleine Kludje added: “We are absolutely thrilled to bring another stage adaptation from Sir Lenny Henry to our stage.
“Rudy's Rare Records truly inspired our audiences back in 2014, so to bring The Boy With Wings to life on stage is an honour. The Boy With Wings is a celebration of courage, identity, and imagination - exactly the kind of story that inspires our younger audiences (and their families alike).
“It’s a joy and a privilege to bring the adaptation of such an out-of-this-world book to the Midlands, and we can’t wait to share this uplifting journey with audiences of all ages."
