The Convert (7 Dec – 26 Jan)

It’s 1896 in what is modern day Zimbabwe and Jekesai, a young woman fleeing forced marriage finds herself working for devout Catholic priest, Chilford. He relishes the opportunity to mould his new convert but Jekesai’s salvation has a price.

This is only one aspect of this cleverly woven play as it also spotlights the complexities of colonialism and devastating impact had the Church on African identity. Black Panther star and Tony-nominated writer Danai Gurira’s striking play explores if faith has a cost and if so, when is that cost too much?

Cast includes Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Paapa Essiedu (RSC Hamlet, Press, Black Earth Rising) and Ivanno Jeremiah (Humans) directed by Ola Ince.

Ola’s previous directorial work includes Poet In Da Corner, Royal Court Theatre,September 2018.Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, Gate Theatre, 2081. She is also currently associate director of Tina Turner The Musical.

Danai Jekesai Gurira, is a Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright, best known for her role as Michonne on The Walking Dead, an television horror drama series, as the writer of the play Eclipsed, and as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise (beginning with Black Panther, and later reprising her role in Avengers: Infinity War).

The Convert, 7 Dec-26 Jan, The Young Vic, SE1 8LZ , £10-£40 Visit https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-convert for further details.