{"product_id":"9780573703225-red-velvet","title":"Red Velvet","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRed Velvet\u003c\/i\u003e is about the nineteenth century black American actor Ira Aldridge.  In a theatre dressing room in Poland  an elderly and sick Aldridge prepares to play King Lear. The intrusion of a young female journalist forces him to look back on the defining moment of his illustrious career. Thirty years previously  Edmund Kean  one of the greatest actors of his generation  collapses on the Theatre Royal stage in London  and Pierre Laporte  theatre manager and friend  asks Aldridge to replace him as Othello. At the same time Parliament is preparing to vote in favour of abolishing slavery in all British colonies. Opinions are fiercely divided. Aldridge performs successfully at the Theatre Royal but the reactions of the cast and critics are complex and divisive. He is not allowed to fulfil his engagement and the betrayal of a dear friend changes the course of his life.\u003ci\u003eRed Velvet\u003c\/i\u003e examines the world of the theatre  where comedy and tragedy are synonymous. The play discusses friendship  betrayal  the art of acting and prejudice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57113496027510,"sku":"9780573703225","price":14.26,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/files\/orig_27821549.jpg?v=1768972366","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/9780573703225-red-velvet","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}