Rockets and Blue Lights – The Tower Theatre

by Winsome Pinnock. Directed by Landé Belo

They used to have the slave codes and now they have equality guidelines….

Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 June and
Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 June at 7.30pm
Matinées on Saturdays 21 and 28 June at 3pm

At the Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington

Tell me what you see … A contemplation of a beautiful, yet grotesque painting, thus begins this sweeping tale of interlocking timelines, exploring identity, heritage, and the haunting legacy of slavery.

It’s 2007, the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery. Hollywood ‘A Lister’, Lou, is back in England starring in a film about the transatlantic slave trade, featuring Turner’s painting, The Slave Ship. With each re-write of the script, her part is diminished, the focus shifting from the events depicted in the painting to Turner himself….. In 1840, sailor Thomas yearns for that one last voyage…but at what personal cost?

Rockets and Blue Lights is a celebration of intergenerational strength, courage and resilience and rescuing stories from historical erasure. Its empowering message of hope will resonate with all audiences.

Buy Tickets
Wednesday 18 June at 7.30pm
Thursday 19 June at 7.30pm
Friday 20 June at 7.30pm
Saturday 21 June at 3pm
Saturday 21 June at 7.30pm
Tuesday 24 June at 7.30pm
Wednesday 25 June at 7.30pm
Thursday 26 June at 7.30pm
Friday 27 June at 7.30pm
Saturday 28 June at 3pm
Saturday 28 June at 7.30pm

Cast
Lou/Olu: Tiffany Ola
Essie/Lucy: Rinré Olusola
Trevor/Thomas: Akeem Maull-Nicol
Reuben/Caesar: Nvaron R. Anderson
Pearson/Benjamin/Clarke: Renford Warmington
J.M.W Turner/Roy/Peter Piper: Paul Kristovic
Johnson/Decker/Ruskin: Matteo Caporusso
Danby/Mary: Nina Sprigge
Meg/Vonnie: Fiona Makia
Billie: Daniel Ooko
Jeanie/Jess: Fiyin Ifebogun
Boy/Overseer/Sailor: Gareth Foynes
Other parts played by members of the cast

Production Team
Director : Landé Belo
Set Design : Jacqueline Knight
Costume Design: Laura Coulton
Lighting Design : Rob Hebblethwaite
Musical Director and Composer : Isabelle Ajani
Sound Design : Rob Ellis

Stage Manager : Norma Hewins
Assistant Director : Rebecca Dike
ASMs : Anna Kidd, Ebony Skerritt
Wardrobe Assistant : Christine Bowmaker
Fight Directors : Richard Kirby , Lindsay Royan
Movement Director : Lydia Newman
Intimacy Coach : Elodie Foray
Accent Coaches: Landé Belo, Nancy P Touzé
PR & Marketing: Simi Belo