Arinzé Kene has been wowing audiences with the West End production of Misty and now the writer and star is giving his understudy the stage.
But there's a twist: His role of Arinzé will be played by a woman. Actress Kibong Tanji is stepping out from the wings and into the lead in a special matinee performance on November 8.
The partially autobiographical show follows two narratives of Arinzé and rapper/poet Blood Cell Virus in an investigation of what it means to be a black playwright today.
Misty's combination of theatre, performance poetry and gig has been credited with introducing a new audience to the West End. The Standard's four star review called Kene "a writer with an appetite for telling stories in fresh and unexpected ways".
Having transferred from the Bush Theatre, the show was originally programmed to run until October 20 but now runs until November 17.
Continuing a series of post show Q&As, which have included Daniel Kaluuya, Anthony Welsh and Akala, Kene will be joined by Michael “Buck” Maris and Femi Oyeniran on October 25, Ashley Walters on October 30 and Inua Ellams on November 12.
Tanji left Central School of Speech and Drama this year, winning two awards.
