Full casting has been announced for the upcoming revival of August Wilson’s KING HEDLEY II, opening at Theatre Royal Stratford East this May.

The previously announced Lenny Henry stars in the show as Elmore. Henry will be joined by Dexter Flanders as Mister, Martina Laird as Ruby, Aaron Pierre as King Hedley, Cherrelle Skeete as Tonya and Leo Wringer as Stool Pigeon.

Directed by Theatre Royal Stratford East’s AD Nadia Fall, KING HEDLEY II is set in Pittsburgh in 1985. The story follows an ex-con trying to rebuild his life by selling $10,000 worth of stolen refrigerators to open a video store. Wilson’s play first premiered in Pittsburgh in 1999 before arriving on Broadway in 2001, a production that starred Brian Stokes Mitchell and Viola Davis. It was last produced in London at the Tricycle Theatre in 2002.

Nadia Fall said: ‘I am thrilled to announce such a brilliant cast for what is surely one of August Wilson’s most hard-hitting plays, a story which is as relevant today as when it was first written. This is the first time a Wilson play has been performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East and it feels like a perfect fit’.

KING HEDLEY II will feature set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Howard Harrison and fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown.

KING HEDLEY II runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 17th May to 15th June. Tickets are on sale now.