Thank you Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for posting this on Instagram. I wrote Red Velvet between 2007 and 2012. It was amazing to come and watch it in Chicago with Dion Johnstone leading and Gary Griffin directing. I stand by these lines completely. More now than ever! 🙏🏽
It’s opening night at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the US premiere of our show. Preview audiences have been wonderful - attentive and appreciative. The sterling cast, creatives and crew have worked hard to realise the play. Here’s to the start of a new adventure! 🌹🌹🌹Photos @kyleflubacker
Back in Chicago with Hamnet. The city is beautiful. The lake has been frozen like the Thames in 1599 when Shakespeare & friends moved the theatre south & made The Globe! It’s the embodiment of a line in the play. Life makes art which reflects life. First preview tonight. Excited to share it. 🙏🏽
I’ve been playing Dr Alex Bridges for This Thing of Darkness for a few years. The writing is challenging & deals with murder, mental health, the stories we tell ourselves & deciphering the tragedies that ensue. I am so proud of it. Season 4 starts BBC Radio4 Tuesday at 2.15pm. Hope you like it 🙏🏽
Went to see a Sisters Grim Show Inala in a new space in London. It was wonderful. Up close and personal with a cast of 11 performers who filled the room with soulful sound and magnetic moves. Met the sisters who were not grim at all! A great and unique night out. Thoroughly recommend it!
The last few performances of this extraordinary show. It’s been so much fun to play at the Barbican . My takeaways? Stories take commitment to make them live. Aiming for excellence is never disappointing. Theatre is magic because you can literally make anything happen. Thanks all. What a ride! 🙏🏽❤️
Just had a lovely zoom with cast of Life of Pi in Korea with Leigh Toney at the helm. Great to meet you all after you’ve done your first run in the rehearsal room. Hope you are enjoying the process and look forward to hearing all about it. 🙏🏽❤️
It’s first preview tonight of this epic show at the Barbican. Tonight we take the leap from the rehearsal room to the stage. Loving being a part of it with this fine, fine cast - it is pure theatre. Wish us luck! 🙏🏽 ( photos by Marc Brenner )
A big hello to Life of Pi Korea in rehearsals for GS Arts Centre in Seoul. Opening in December. Sending you hope, faith and joy for your journey! 🙏🏽
I just read your second post! Thank you so much. Appreciate your kind words. 🌹
Thank you Rodrigo. How lovely to read your post. Hope you liked the show. 🙏🏽
Ron OJ Parson, Chiké Johnson & James Vincent Meredith are nominated for Jeff Awards for Hymn at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. They worked so hard, often pushed themselves beyond what was comfortable and made a beautiful show. The alchemy was thrilling. Bravo from London!!! ❤️🙏🏽
The US cast of Life of Pi are playing open air in Kansas. Real stars everywhere! They have been on the road for almost a year. An amazing group of practitioners and stage management who I managed to catch up with along the road. Thank you for your hard work and joy. Hope the last weeks are fun. ❤️
Love watching Life of Pi travel the world. The Asia tour came to an end and this excellent team told the story with heart and skill. Very grateful for the skill and commitment of those on and backstage to make this happen. ❤️
End of the first week of rehearsals for Wendy and Peter Pan for the RSC at the Barbican. A great team of performers, creatives and stage management to make this magical show happen. At the end of a great week we ended up in Kensington Gardens with Peter Pan himself! 🙏🏽
The final week of Hymn at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. This wonderful team have played hard to bring Benny and Gil to life. So proud of what we made! Playing till May 25th if you’re in Chicago. ❤️
A year ago today I was here doing the research to set Hymn in Chicago. And now it’s opening night at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre! It’s been such a pleasure with Ron OJ Parson at the helm, James Meredith Vincent and Chike Johnson owning the stage. This isn’t work it’s play! Good luck all! 🙏🏽
So glad you liked it. 🌹
So looking forward to being part of a panel discussion @latimes.com about adaptation, page to stage, with Robert O’Hara and Larissa Fasthorse. Just ahead of Life of Pi playing The Ahmanson Theatre. Very exciting to make these connections through storytelling. 🙏🏽
Hymn is coming to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. This wonderful team are getting the play in shape. Or getting in shape for the play!! There’s a short film of rehearsals on the website - take a look. It’s filled with joy and promise. 🌹
Excited to be able to talk about Hamnet coming to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2026. Working again with @ericawhyman.bsky.social to bring the Shakespeares to life.❤️
As Life of Pi UK start their tour of Asia I am in Portland, Oregon at the Keller Auditorium with the US cast. Last night they played to 3000 people and got a standing ovation! It’s amazing to watch Pi travel across the Pacific Ocean on stage and across the world, off stage. Bon Voyage everyone! 🙏🏽
Have had the privilege of seeing Hymn start to emerge in the rehearsal room through Chike Johnson and James Vincent Meredith’s truthful study, under the watchful eye of maestro director Ron OJ Parson. Feel very lucky indeed to have been here @chicagoshakes.bsky.social See you all soon! 🙏🏽
On my way to rehearse Hymn I passed a statue of Benito Juárez and it stopped me in my tracks! I have written his name many times for Life of Pi but didn’t know who he was!The play begins in the Benito Juárez Infirmary in Tomatlán Mexico. A good omen! A great day of rehearsal. Hymn is gonna sing! 🙏🏽
Chicago - a stunning city where the buildings feel alive! We are about to start rehearsals at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for Hymn with a sterling cast and creative team - Ron OJ Parson, James Vincent Meredith and Chike Johnson. Can’t wait! 🙏🏽
Being a mum pushes you to make choices you never imagined. The subtlety and nuance of it is a huge responsibility. So for all of the time, effort, thought, care, worry, joy, challenges, frustrations and happiness I wish mum’s everywhere a very Happy Mothers Day. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Rehearsals for
hymn @chicagoshakes.bsky.social start next week. So excited to start this journey with Ron OJ Parsons directing James Vincent Meredith and ChikeJohnson.
So sad to hear of the passing of Alex Wheatle. We were in a writer’s room in 2016 and we all spent weeks hanging out and getting to know each other. He was a kind, gentle, interesting man. He told me his story in care in Shirley Oaks and it was heartbreaking. Gone far too soon. RIP Alex. 🌹
Cannot wait to read this book by my dear friend Rachel Seiffert, out today. She’s such an amazing writer. Excited. 🌹
Hamnet is in such good company at Shakespeare Theatre Co. In Washington DC Othello himself! Writer and character hand in hand. 🙏🏽
