Tanya Moodie (Trouble in Mind) and Elizabeth Berrington (Absent Friends) lead a star cast in the UK Premiere of Joel Drake Johnson’s tense workplace drama Rasheeda Speaking, also featuring Bo Poraj (Miranda) and Sheila Reid (Benidorm).

In one of Chicago’s wealthiest hospitals, a white doctor tries to remove a black receptionist by enlisting her colleague as a spy. The women’s friendship quickly deteriorates and a chilling power struggle ensues. With the office becoming a battleground of passive aggression and paranoia, things spin wildly out of control.

Joel Drake Johnson’s incendiary new play examines underlying racism in the workplace, white guilt and the manipulation of women by men in power. Rasheeda Speaking is a shocking dark comedy that keeps you in its claustrophobic grip until the final moment, proving that nothing in Middle America is ever truly black or white.

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Hair, Dear Brutus) and produced by Troupe (Dear Brutus, The Cardinal – The Telegraph Critics’ Choice), who make their debut at Trafalgar Studios.

POST-SHOW Q&As

Wednesday 25 April
Acclaimed American author Joel Drake Johnson is in town specially for this European premiere of his play Rasheeda Speaking. After the 7.45pm performance on Wednesday 25 April, Terri Paddock will chair a post-show Q&A with Johnson, director Jonathan O’Boyle (Hair, Pippin, Dear Brutus) and members of the cast, including Elizabeth Berrington and Tanya Moodie. How prevalent is racism in the workplace? We’ll discuss that and other matters relating to the play and the creative process.

Monday 30 April
Alun Hood from WhatsOnStage chairs a Club Night Q&A, open to all audience members. After the 7.45pm performance on Monday 30 April, Alun Hood will interview playwright Joel Drake Johnson, director Jonathan O’Boyle and cast members Elizabeth Berrington, Tanya Moodie, Bo Poraj and Sheila Reid about their rehearsal process, and open the discussion to audience members.