FAMILY TREE is a beautifully poetic drama about race, health, the environment, and the incredible legacy of one of the most influential Black women of modern times. Fearlessly honest, hilarious, and ultimately transformative, this award-winning play is both a remembrance and a celebration.

Henrietta Lacks is one of the 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.

This brand-new nationwide touring production is brought to you by playwright Mojisola Adebayo (Alfred Fagon Award winner for FAMILY TREE) and director Matthew Xia (The Wiz, Shebeen).

Cast

Henrietta Lacks – Aminita Francis
Ain/Anarcha/Oshun – Mofetoluwa Akande
Bibi/Betsey – Keziah Joseph
Lyn/Lucy – Aimée Powell
Smoking Man – Alistair Hall

Creative Team

Playwright – Mojisola Adebayo
Director – Matthew Xia
Set & Costume Designer – Simon Kenny
Lighting Designer – Simisola Majekodunmi
Composer & Sound Designer – Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
Movement Director – Diane Alison-Mitchell
Associate Director – Amelia Thornber
Costume Supervisor – Maybelle Laye
Production Dramatherapist – Wabriya King
Tour Casting Advisor – Matilda James CDG
Clive Meldrum – Sound Associate

Production team

Production Manager Matt Ledbury
Company Stage Manager Cassie Adey
Deputy Stage Manager Eliott Sheppard
Lighting Associate Tom Lightbody