Carlo Campbell as Richard III (photo by Stephen Hudgins).

Curio Theatre’s space at 48th and Baltimore will be home to a new production by Theatre in the X, the local Black theatre company known for their summer shows in West Philly’s Malcolm X Park. Beginning Thursday, April 28, Theatre in the X will present their take on William Shakespeare’s famous play Richard III.

Theatre in the X’s interpretation of Richard III is an homage to The African Grove Theatre – the first Black Theatre company in the recorded history of North America.

“This company, founded 44 years before the abolition of slavery, at a time when few blacks were literate (because it was illegal) took on this Shakespearean language, and the powers that be, and triumphed, in their own way,” reads a statement on the Theatre in the X website. “They laid the track for us and through their work and now with this production of Richard III, we honor them.​”

The production is directed by Carlo Campbell, who is also starring in the lead role. Other featured actors are: Anthony Cooper (as King Edward IV), Zuhairah McGill (as Queen Margaret), Nancy Marie (as Queen Elizabeth), Ciera Gardner, Richard Bradford, Ron Lee Jones, Eric Carter, Walter DeShields, Kahlil Wyatt, Sterling Calhoun, Phoenix Campbell, and Edris Trawick.

Shows will run on Thursdays, April 28 & May 5 (7 p.m.), Fridays, April 29 & May 6 (8 p.m.) and Saturdays, April 30 & May 7 (5 p.m.). Tickets are pay-what-you-can and can be reserved here.

For more information about the production, go here.