Legendary singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading has composed original music for the Donmar Warehouse’s forthcoming production of The Tempest, directed by critically acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.
Starring film, TV and stage acting legend Harriet Walter (Lady Shackleton in Downton Abbey) as Prospero, all-female support will be provided by TBB Favourites Jade Anouka, Sheila Atim (Les Blancs), Shiloh Coke, Jackie Clune, Leah Harvey, Martina Laird, alongside Karen Dunbar, Clare Dunne, Zainab Hasan, Jennifer Joseph, Sophie Stanton and Carolina Valdés.
The Tempest forms part of the Donmar’s Shakespeare Trilogy, which will run from September 23rd to December 17th. It will then be joined from November 17th by their revivals of Julius Caesar and Henry IV. Press day on November 22nd will present Julius Caesar at 11am, ‘Henry IV’ at 3.30pm and The Tempest’at 8pm.
Joan Armatrading is recognised as a pioneering creative force with a career spanning four decades, the Brit Awards and The GRAMMYs-nominated St. Kitts-Brit has won and maintained an acclaimed and storied career and fan base. Other accolades include Top 10 albums and singles, an historic #1 debut for a UK female artist in the Billboard Blues chart in 2007, VH1’s list of the 100 Most Influential Women in Rock and gave a command performance for Nelson Mandela on his 70th birthday at Wembley Stadium. In 2014 she embarked on an 18-month solo Me Myself I World Tour, with just a piano and guitar for accompaniment. She had to reassure fans that she has not retired and will continue to perform on a smaller scale.
More recently, she has lent her support as Ambassador to The Donmar’s Shakespeare Trilogy YOUNG+FREE scheme alongside such names as Tony-winning Cynthia Erivo, Lenny Henry, Jenny Jules, Cush Jumbo, amongst others, which is making 25% of tickets free to those 25 or under.
A digital album of the music, The Tempest Songs, released by 429 Records, has been available to download on iTunes since Monday 19th September.
For more information and tickets to performances, visit The Domnar Warehouse