Elmina's Kitchen
By Kwame Kwei-Armah
Year staged: 2003
Opening night: 23/05/2003
Theatre Company: National Theatre; 1963-
Staged in: Cottesloe Theatre, National Theatre
Cast Size: 6
Synopsis
You can’t just walk into dis bad man t’ing, you gotta learn the whole science of it. You step into that arena and you better be able to dance wid death til it mek you dizzy. The Yardies are burning up Hackney and Digger’s offer of protection for the diner smacks more of threat than promise. How can Deli save his truanting, thieving son when temptation looms so large on Murder Mile?
Later produced as a radio play and aired on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4. In June 2005, Elmina’s Kitchen was televised on BBC 4. The television version took place in realistic settings separating itself from the stage performance. The televised drama featured the cast that initially performed the play at the National Theatre.
Users can access materials from the 2003 production by booking to come in to the National Theatre Archive.
Original Cast
Joseph Patterson
Deli
Doña Croll
Anastasia
George Harris
Clifton
Oscar James
Baygee
Emmanuel Idowu
Ashley, Deli's son
Shaun Parkes
Digger
Production Team
Emma Williams
Costume Supervisor
Patsy Rodenburg
Company Voice Work
Neil McArthur
Original Songs
Juldeh Camara
Riti / Talking / Vocals
Ivan Kyncl
Production and Rehearsal Photographer
Angus Jackson
Director
Oscar James
Original Songs
George Harris
Music
David Milling
Deputy Stage Manager
Neil McArthur
Music
Kwame Kwei-Armah
Original Songs
Nik Haffenden
Assistant Stage Manager
Julian McCready
Assistant to the Lighting Designer
Steve Rossell
Music Director / Double Bass
Tom Richardson
Production Manager
Bunny Christie
Designer
Alan Bain
Assistant Production Manager
Atongo Zimba
Kologo / Vocals
Claudette Williams
Dialect Coach
Harvey Ta Kemp
Lighting Designer
Terry King
Fight Director
Alison Rankin
Stage Manager
Neil Alexander
Sound Designer
Additional Materials
Production and Rehearsal Photographs
Ref: RNT/PP/5/421
National Theatre