Prescient satire ‘An Octoroon’ explores uncomfortable racial legacies at Manchester School of Theatre

From Thu 12 – Sat 14 Oct, Manchester School of Theatre presents an incisive, prescient and frequently hilarious exploration of race, identity and representation with the regional premiere of Brandon Jacob-Jenkins’ Obie Award-winning satire, An Octoroon, showcasing dramatic talent from the school’s BA Acting third-year students as part of its unmissable autumn season.

Hailed as ‘infinitely playful and deeply serious’ in The Guardian‘s four-star review, An Octoroon follows George Peyton, the heir of a financially doomed Louisiana slave plantation – Terrebone – who falls in love with Zoe, a woman of one-eighth black ancestry. threatening his planned marriage to wealthy heiress Dora and the potential salvation of the family estate.

Promising to ‘push the audience to think about uncomfortable historical legacies’ while creating a boisterous, enjoyable atmosphere which itself acts as a commentary on racial dynamics and representation, the searing postmodern take on Dion Boucicault’s 1859 melodrama The Octoroon reimagines a conventional story with daring theatrical twists – including several ingenious costume changes – and a wildly inventive metanarrative which subverts traditional forms to establish a play within a play.

Based within the wider community of Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester School of Theatre nurtures the next generation of acting talent through collaboration, experimentation and rigorous performance craft to cultivate a vital understanding of drama and encourage students to hone their unique talents as performers and creatives.

Performances take place at 7.15pm on Thu 12 oct, 2pm and 7.15pm on Fri 13 Oct and 7.15pm on Sat 14 Oct at the Grosvenor East Theatre on Oxford Road’s All Saints Campus.

Click here to book tickets.