The Overwhelming

1994: An American family arrive in beautiful, tiny Rwanda and find themselves out of their depth. Struggling academic Jack Exley makes enemies when he tries to solve a mysterious disappearance. His teenage son finds adult trouble in Kigali’s nightclubs. And his ambitious new wife goes on a sightseeing trip that not even her Detroit childhood can prepare her for. Then Jack discovers the lists…

A gripping story of a country on the brink of genocide, The Overwhelming premiered in May 2006 at the National Theatre, London, in association with Out of Joint, prior to a UK tour.

REVIEWS

“A gripping political thriller… a visceral, deeply provoking work”
-Time Out

“A fast, frightening, watchable play.”
-Daily Mail

“A powerful new play”
-The Independent

“The Overwhelming gives political theatre serious allure.”
-Evening Standard

CAST & CREATIVES

Cast: William Armstrong, Matthew Marsh, Jude Akuwudike, Nick Fletcher, Tanya Moodie, Andrew Garfield, Danny Sapani, Lucian Msamati, Babou Ceesay, Chipo Chung, Adura Onashile.

Director: Max Stafford-Clark
Designer: Tim Shortall
Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Sound Designer: Gareth Fry
Assistant Director: Jessica Swale

PERFORMANCES

Cottesloe Theatre
9 May 2006

Oxford Playhouse
5 – 9 September 2006

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
12 – 16 September 2006

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
19 – 23 September 2006

Liverpool Everyman
26 – 30 September 2006

Library Theatre, Manchester
3 – 7 October 2006