A feat of storytelling! [Perkins] seizes the stage the same way Alvita seizes the power: fearlessly.
The Boston Globe
Glorious…Zadie Smith and Indhu Rubasingham have concocted a stunning piece of freewheeling stagecraft. Clare Perkins is magnificent.
The Times of London
A proper local legend, Alvita will tell her life story to anyone in the local West London pub—there’s no shame in her game. The question is: are you ready to hear it? Because this woman’s got the gift of the gab: she can rewrite mistakes into triumphs, turn pain into parables. And her love life? It’s an epic poem. They call her the Wife of Willesden. Join her for an evening that celebrates the human knack for telling elaborate tales, especially about our own lives. Winner of the 2022 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, critically acclaimed and multi award-winning best-selling author Zadie Smith transforms an excerpt from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales into the unbelievable—and unforgettable.
This production includes strobe lighting, flashing lights, haze, slurs against women, sexually suggestive scenes, and representations of sexual and physical violence.
Adapted by Zadie Smith from Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham
Presented in association with BAM
A Kiln Theatre Production
Notable dates
Opening Night: 3/2
ASL Interpreted: 3/12 at 2PM & 3/15 at 7:30PM
Audio Described: 3/11 at 2PM & 3/16 at 7:30PM
Open Captioned: 3/11 at 2PM & 3/16 at 7:30PM
Relaxed: 3/17 at 7:30PM
Production Sponsor
The Linda Hammett Ory & Andrew Ory Charitable Trust
Additional Production Support
Brenda and Kevin Jarrell
COVID-19 Protocols
Masks are optional but encouraged. Stay informed about our full policies.
Masks are optional but encouraged. Stay informed about our full policies.
Accessibility
Find out about our theater’s accessibility.
Find out about our theater’s accessibility.
Ticketing Policies
Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.
Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.
Content Key
Language 3 out of 5
Violence 2 out of 5
Sexuality 4 out of 5
Substance Use 3 out of 5
Language 3 out of 5
Violence 2 out of 5
Sexuality 4 out of 5
Substance Use 3 out of 5
Donation Drive
In conjunction with The Wife of Willesden, the A.R.T. is hosting a donation drive for Transition House in Central Square. Requested items can be dropped off at the Loeb Drama Center.
More Info
In conjunction with The Wife of Willesden, the A.R.T. is hosting a donation drive for Transition House in Central Square. Requested items can be dropped off at the Loeb Drama Center.
More Info
Stage Seating
Join Alvita and her mates in the Colin Campbell pub! A limited number of “Stage Bench” seats have been added on the stage, along with “Stage Table” seats on either side of it, that allow you to be closer to the action and be a part of the set.
View Seating Chart
Join Alvita and her mates in the Colin Campbell pub! A limited number of “Stage Bench” seats have been added on the stage, along with “Stage Table” seats on either side of it, that allow you to be closer to the action and be a part of the set.
View Seating Chart
Ticket Offers
Take Five
FEB 25 – MAR 10
$5 Tickets
Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for The Wife of Willesden.
More Info
Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for The Wife of Willesden.
More Info
Harvard ArtsThursdays
MAR 9 at 7:30PM
Free with RSVP
Free tickets are available to the performance of The Wife of Willesden on March 9 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP for one or two tickets is required as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Info and RSVP
Free tickets are available to the performance of The Wife of Willesden on March 9 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP for one or two tickets is required as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Info and RSVP
Rush
$30 rush tickets may be made available online, in person, and by phone the day of the performance, as inventory allows due to returns. Check back daily!
Standing Room
A very limited number of $25 standing room tickets will be sold in person and by phone for select sold-out performances on the day of each show, beginning at noon. Any standing room tickets available after in-person patrons have been assisted will be sold by phone. Limit 1 ticket per person.
All Discounts
Standard tickets start at $30, and discounts are available to students and ticket-buyers under the age of 25, Blue Star families, EBT card holders, seniors, Harvard faculty and staff, and others.
Press Coverage
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Credits
Learn about the collaboration of artists who created the show, as well as the staff, supporters, and partners who made it possible.
Creative Team
Cast
Winston/Mandela/Black Jesus
Marcus Adolphy
Winston/Mandela/Black Jesus
Marcus Adolphy
Understudy for Alvita, the Wife of Willesden and Aunty P/Old Wife
Sophie Cartman
Understudy for Alvita, the Wife of Willesden and Aunty P/Old Wife
Sophie Cartman
Pastor/Eldridge
George Eggay
Pastor/Eldridge
George Eggay
Ian/Socrates/Bartosz
Andrew Frame
Ian/Socrates/Bartosz
Andrew Frame
Darren/Young Maroon
Troy Glasgow
Darren/Young Maroon
Troy Glasgow
Polly/Sophie
Claudia Grant
Polly/Sophie
Claudia Grant
Asma/Kelly
Nikita Johal
Asma/Kelly
Nikita Johal
Ryan/Colin
Scott Miller
Ryan/Colin
Scott Miller
Author/Zaire/Queen Nanny
Jessica Murrain
Author/Zaire/Queen Nanny
Jessica Murrain
Alvita, The Wife of Willesden
Clare Perkins
Alvita, The Wife of Willesden
Clare Perkins
Aunty P/Old Wife
Ellen Thomas
Aunty P/Old Wife