PRODUCTION DATES: MAY 1 - MAY 18 2025
2025.
IN THE SILENCE OF A QUAKER MEETING HOUSE:
Benjamin Lay – shepherd, sailor, revolutionary, and the British Empire's first revolutionary abolitionist – returns from the grave almost 300 years after his death, as feisty and unpredictable as ever.
The 4ft “David” confronts the “Goliath” of slavery as he demands once again to be readmitted into the Quaker community that disowned him for ideas considered dangerous and disruptive.
How far will he go to share his prophetic vision knowing the cost of protest?
Sweeping across the centuries and continents, The Return of Benjamin Lay is a hallucinatory exploration of the list of a radical who became one of the earliest revolutionary abolitionists.
The award-winning London production, "an important groundbreaking play" (Closeup Culture), by decorated playwright Naomi Wallace and historian Marcus Rediker, features "a riveting performance by Mark Povinelli" (Broadway World), direction by Royal Shakespeare Company Honorary Associate Ron Daniels, and set design by the acclaimed Riccardo Hernandez. The play crosses the Atlantic in a bold exploration of an utterly impossible man.
MAKING HISTORY.
“Quintessence Theatre Group’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that we have purchased our home of 14 years, the Sedgwick Theater,”.
Quintessence Theatre stands in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter.
We join the Movement to fight for Freedom, Liberation and Justice.
Our board of directors and staff continue the work to ensure that Quintessence and our art addresses its connection to white supremacy and is anti-racist.
We continue to share progress here.
