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She’s back! WIFE OF WILLESDEN returns to Kiln Theatre

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This year Zadie Smith took home the award for ‘Most Promising Playwright’ for her debut play The Wife of Willesden at The Critics Circle Theatre Awards earlier this year. She was a joint-winner alongside Papatango prize winner, Igor Memic for his play Old Bridge. The Wife of Willesden will be returning to Kiln Theatre, running from 14 December to 28 January, ahead of transferring to the US, where it will play at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University from 25 February – 19 March. 

The author’s play lets one of Chaucer’s most revolutionary characters loose in modern-day Kilburn in a celebration of community and a life well-lived. It’s good fun! Clare Perkins will reprise her role as Alvita, in Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham’s critically acclaimed production.

Rubasingham has said: “It’s such a pleasure to be able to bring back our hit production of The Wife of Willesden. Last year’s run was not only the fastest selling show in the venue’s history, but was a reminder of the joy of creating and experiencing theatre together not long after lockdown. To have another opportunity to share it with more audiences is a real treat. It is a wonderful collaboration of many brilliant people, especially Zadie, who we are thrilled to announce today will also join the theatre as a Trustee. We are delighted to have been invited by Diane Paulus (A.R.T. Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director) to bring The Wife of Willesden to the US as part of the American Repertory Theater’s fabulous 2022/23 programming; and hope to share further plans for the production in due course.”

Published: 15th June 2022