In Britain, the Old Vic Theatre—led by actor and artistic director Kevin Spacey—has donated the venue free of charge to Ugandan playwright Judy Adong so that a benefit reading of her play (Just Me You and the Silence) can be seen in London Nov. 4, according to a Kaleidoscope Trust release.
“Silence,” (set in Kampala, Uganda) follows the tragic story of Jacob Obina, an ambitious politician and family man. The play portrays the injustice and persecution gay and lesbian people suffer in Uganda.
Spacey said, “Theater has a crucial role to play in our world, to allow people to advance and discuss ideas, confront issues and communicate across cultural boundaries. This is an important piece that deserves to be heard and we are pleased to be providing an opportunity for audiences to connect with its message.”
Frank Mugisha, a leading LGBT activist in Uganda, has also given public support to the production, adding, ”This play is an important cultural moment that will give voice to a section of society that is given too little chance to express itself creatively and openly.”