Family Tree
By Mojisola Adebayo
Year staged: 2023
Staged in: Brixton House, formerly Ovalhouse Theatre
Cast Size: 5
Synopsis
Henrietta Lacks is one of most remarkable people in medical history. Her cells form the basis of the most important medical research and breakthroughs happening today, from cancer to HIV to COVID. But Henrietta never knew any of this. Her cells were taken without her or her family’s knowledge or permission. Henrietta was a Black woman: she is not the only one whose body has been exploited by the medical establishment. Denied her place in history, now is the time for Henrietta’s incredible legacy to undergo a transformation … to blossom and grow into something new and wonderful.
Winner of the 2021 Alfred Fagon Award for ‘Best New Play’.
Original Cast
Aminita Francis
Henrietta Lacks
Mofetoluwa Akande
Ani / Anarcha / Oshun
Keziah Joseph
Bibi / Betsey
Aimée Powell
Lyn / Lucy
Alistair Hall
Smoking Man
Production Team
Matthew Xia
Director
Amelia Thornber
Associate Director
Simon Kelly
Set and Costume Designer
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
Composer and Sound Designer
Michelle Laye
Costume Supervisor
Wabriya King
Dramatherapist
Diane Alison-Mitchell
Movement and Choreography