A bold new play about Black revolutionary, Fred Hampton
Chicago. 4th December, 1969. 4.45am. Charismatic young revolutionary Fred Hampton lies sleeping next to his heavily pregnant girlfriend Deborah Johnson.
At just 21 years old, he’s negotiated non-violence pacts between street gangs, founded free public health clinics, and fed thousands of starving school children.
But, in the darkness outside, 14 Chicago PD officers load their weapons…
Messiah is an explosive new play from Fringe First winners Bear Trap Theatre and Alfred Fagon Award-winner Paula B. Stanic, uncovering the forgotten legacy of the ‘Black Messiah’, a covert operation by the FBI to discredit Black civil rights leaders, and exploring and the revolutionary power of young people.
- Director: Jesse Briton
- Writers: Jesse Briton & Paula B Stanic
- Devised by Bear Trap Theatre
Cast
- Shaq B. Grant: Fred Hampton
- Angelina Chudi: Deborah Johnson
- Lewis Hart: Chicago Police Sergeant
- Gerel Falconer: William O’Neill
Co-commissioned by Stratford Circus Arts Centre and Bernie Grant Arts Centre. In association with Theatre Centre. Development supported by Ovalhouse.
Age: 14+