Winner of the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, Moreno is set in the world of American football, where the NFL is being shaken by Colin Kaepernick’s monumental decision to take a knee to protest police brutality against Black people. As he struggles to overcome an injury and prove he still has what it takes, star player Luis Moreno must decide whether to take a risk and make a stand when America’s political tide turns against his own community.
A searing representation of sporting culture, American celebrity, and race, Moreno interrogates the impact of bringing politics on to the pitch, and asks what sports fans are willing to forgive players for – and what they’re not.
It is directed by Nancy Medina, straight from her National Theatre debut on Trouble in Mind. Moreno questions bringing politics onto the pitch, the role of allies, and what part other minorities bring to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Medina directs the following cast: Sebastián Capitán Viveros (Sweat, Donmar Warehouse) as Luis Moreno, Joseph Black (Sessions, Paine’s Plough/Soho Theatre) as Ezekiel Williams, Hayden Mclean (ear for eye, Royal Court) as Cre’von Garcon, and Matt Whitchurch (Milk and Gall, Theatre503) as Danny Lombardo.
Pravin Wilkins, playwright says:
“I was honoured to be among such a strong selection of finalists for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. I feel it is important that Moreno was selected to win because it investigates a historic moment when athletes across the world stood together to protest against racial injustice.
For progress to happen, we must revisit the messages that are – year after year, generation after generation – delivered by Black and brown people; this play is about putting these perspectives firmly at the centre of conversations about how we approach racism. The play is vital at this moment in time and I am excited for Nancy to now bring it to the stage with such an incredible cast and team.”
Accessible previes:
‘Pay What You Choose’ Saturdays, 3pm (excluding Sat 5 Mar)
Relaxed/Captioned: 16 March, 7.30pm
Parent and Baby: 16 March, 12noon
For more information and tickets, click here.
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