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Assata Shakur's Story Lives Again On Stage
17 Mar
Summary
- The revival of 'Assata Taught Me' runs May 12-24, 2026.
- Susan Lawson-Reynolds stars as Assata Shakur.
- The play explores Shakur's life in exile and advocacy.
Kalungi Ssebandeke's 2017 play, 'Assata Taught Me,' will receive its first revival at Riverside Studios in London from May 12 to May 24, 2026. Ssebandeke himself is directing the production, which originally premiered at The Gate Theatre.
Susan Lawson-Reynolds takes on the role of Assata Shakur, the American activist and former Black Panther who found asylum in Cuba until her passing in September 2025 at age 78. Ebenezer Gyau co-stars as Fanuco Maceo, a young Cuban man who encounters Shakur.
The play is set on a Caribbean Island where an aged Shakur is approached by a young local seeking the American Dream. This narrative revisits Shakur's controversial life, including her conviction for murder, her claims of innocence, and her daring escape from prison to Cuba.
Writer and director Ssebandeke stated the play is "more urgent than ever" and brings "the rarely told story of The FBI's Most Wanted Woman" to contemporary audiences. The production aims to highlight the need for individuals to stand up for their beliefs, echoing Shakur's own activism.
