Sherman Theatre is today (International Women’s Day) announcing that Suzanne Packer will lead the cast of its next production; The Women of Llanrumney by Azuka Oforka, a 2022 alumnus of Sherman Theatre’s Unheard Voices artists development programme. Nia Roberts will play Elizabeth with Suzanne playing the role of Annie. The remaining cast for this four-hander will be announced in coming weeks.

On today’s announcement Azuka said: “I feel incredibly privileged and excited to be working with such a talented group of women. This feels like a creative sisterhood joining forces to shine a powerful light on this important part of HER-story.”

The Women of Llanrumney is a devasting historical drama that confronts Wales’ colonial past head-on, and is set in the Llanrumney sugar plantation in Jamaica.

1765. Cerys and her mothers Annie are enslaved by the wealthy Morgan family from Wales. Their future hangs in the balance when Elizabeth Morgan is faced with losing her plantation. Fearing what could lie ahead, Annie does everything she can to secure her position in the Great House. But sooner or later, with a storm of rebellion building around her, Annie will have to face up to the horror and trauma all around her, including her own.

The Women of Llanrumney will be directed by Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Patricia Logue (who directed Sherman Theatre’s Lose Yourself in 2019). The Designer will be Stella-Jane Odoemelam (Swyn Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru).

The cast is led by Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Suzanne Packer (A Hero of the People Sherman Theatre; Casulty, Doctor Who, The Pembrokeshire Murders), who will play Annie. Nia Roberts (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hedda Gabler Sherman; Steel Town Murders, Doctor Who, and the forthcoming Tree on a Hill BBC; Yr Amgueddfa S4C) will take the role of Elizabeth. Further casting will be annoucned in the coming weeks.