Richard Blackwood is scheduled to make his debut on West End in Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof adapted by Debbie Allen at the Novello Theatre which will run from December 1, 2009 thru April 10^th, 2010.

Derek Griffiths and Nina Soysanya who are Blackwood’s fellow cat members on television will also join the case along with the previously announced cast members including James Earl Jones, Adrian Lester, Sanaa Lathan, and Phylicia Rashad.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roofhas not been produced in the West End since 2001with an all white cast in contrast with the coming all black cast production of the play. Past cast members included Ned Beatty, Frances O’Conner, Gemma Jones, and Brendan Fraser.

The upcoming production will be directed by Debbie Allen who is both an Emmy and Golden Globe accredited director, actor, and choreographer. The Allen production last ran in the Broadhurst Theatre in New York last year. The roles of Big Daddy and Big Mama will have their original cast members of James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad reprised.

Blackwood will play Brightie who is formally known for his work on stage such as The Unexpected Guest and Roy Williams’ Angel House. Currently Blackwood presents a show on London’s choice FM radio station.

Nina Sosanya who plays the role of Mae is known for work in film and television including Nathan Barley, Love Actually, Teachers, and Doctor Who. As a stage actress she has performed in House and Garden and Fix Up at the National Theatre and The Vortex at the Donmar Warehouse.

Derek Griffiths who plays Reverend Tooker is known for a wide variety of stage performances including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Noises Off, Run for Your Wife, Miss Saigon, and The Odd Couple.