Clifford Samuel (2:22 A Ghost Story, Dmitry) will play the role of Tambo and Daniel Ward (Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Rebellion) will reprise his role as Bones.
Leeds Playhouse has today announced the dynamic duo who will star in the acclaimed production of Dave Harris’ Tambo & Bones. Directed by Olivier Award-winning Director, Composer and DJ Matthew Xia (Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Actors Touring Company), the production will play in the Courtyard theatre at Leeds Playhouse from 14-24 May.
Tambo & Bones was one of the most talked about cultural events when it was first performed in 2023. It is an exhilarating, darkly comic and provocative satire on capitalism and Black performance that explores the commodification of the Black experience through the mediums of minstrelsy, hip-hop and afro-futurism. Spanning 500 years, Tambo and Bones journey from comedy double-act to hip-hop superstars to activists in a future America, contending with the alarming repercussions of a nation torn apart by race. Harris’ blistering play laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world and for theatre.
Clifford Samuel said: “Stepping into the role of Tambo is both a thrilling challenge and a privilege. Collaborating with such an extraordinary team fuels my passion for the craft. I’m eager to witness how audiences engage with the story and the production we’ve brought to life.”
Daniel Ward added: “The transitory nature of theatre means we do our best as artists to create moments that resonate with people and live long in their memories. Sometimes that happens, often it doesn’t. But with Tambo & Bones, people have never stopped asking me about it. More than just ask – people have wanted to debate, dissect and argue. They have passionately told me all the ways in which the show moved them. They have told me that they have never forgotten the show and never will. What is special about returning is honouring those experiences and what is exciting is the opportunity to create new memories with new audiences that hopefully last a lifetime.”
The creative team includes set and costume designers Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and ULTZ, who won the 2023 UK Theatre Award for Best Design for the show. The full creative team are Lighting Designer Ciarán Cunningham, Hip-Hop Beats Excalibah*, Sound Designer & Additional Composition Richard Hammarton, Movement Director Kloé Dean,| Video Designer Gino Ricardo Green, Associate Director Dubheasa Lanipekun, Costume Supervisor Ysanne Tidd, Fight Director Sam Lyon-Behan, Original fight choreography Kevin McCurdy, Voice and Dialect Coach Joel Trill, Magic & Illusions Consultant Chris Cox, Production Drama Therapist Wabriya King, Lighting Associate Tom Lightbody, Puppetry Designer Hugh Purves and Assistant Designer Mark Simmons. *WAR produced by Roly Botha and Excalibah and Dollas to Dreams produced by Excalibah and Roly Botha.
