Racial tensions are brought to the fore in an Olivier Award-winning satire that comes to Richmond this week.

Bruce Norris’ Clybourne Park begins in 1959 with two couples arguing whether to let a black family move into their predominantly white Chicago neighbourhood and then moves to 50 years later when Clybourne Park as a mostly black neighbourhood in the process of gentrification and the echoes of the past are dug up.

It was the Olivier’s Best New Play in 2011 and is now heading to Richmond Theatre on tour from April 25 to 30.

Experienced actor Mark Womack, plays Russ in Act One and Dan in Act Two.

He said: “I had never seen it, but I was aware of it and its successes. When they sent me the play I just thought ‘this play is so good that if I was offered the parts to play then I would give it a go.

“It is extremely clever and complex, the way the two periods are connected.

“Also even with the challenge of playing two different characters Russ and Dan, they are still the two that appeal the most to me.

“In the first half you have Russ who is essentially a broken man carrying this great tragedy.

“Although the play is still quite funny, Russ still has to weave his way through his great loss which is what carries it through and in the second half you have Dan the builder, who is just a bit daft discovers the neat twist in the end - which I won’t give away! - which in a surreal way connects the first act to the second in a very clever manner.

“It’s clever and funny how the two sets of characters will constantly switch allegiances throughout the play.”

Clybourne Park is at Richmond Theatre from April 25 to 30. Tickets cost from £14.40. Go to atgtickets.com/richmond

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