Headlong has announced the principal cast for its new production of August Wilson’s Fences, set to tour UK theatres from September. This marks the first major UK revival of the play in over a decade, bringing Wilson’s celebrated work back to wider British audiences.

Headlong’s production of Fences will open at Leeds Playhouse from 11 to 26 September before touring to Oxford Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, HOME Manchester and Nottingham Playhouse. Ray Fearon takes the lead role of Troy Maxson, with Madeline Appiah as Rose. Michael Ahomka-Lindsay and Josh Tedeku complete the principal cast as Lyons and Cory, respectively.

The revival, directed by Daniel Bailey, is co-produced by Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith and HOME Manchester. It features a robust creative team including set and costume designer Lily Arnold, composer and sound designer Khalil Madovi, and lighting designer Jai Morjaria. Shelley Maxwell serves as movement director, with Kev McCurdy as fight director and Aundrea Fudge coaching voice and dialect.

Fences is part of August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle and explores the life of former baseball player Troy Maxson, whose personal ambitions clash with the social and racial limitations of his time. The story delves into tensions within his family, particularly through his fraught relationships with wife Rose and son Cory.

Ray Fearon, who has long admired Wilson’s writing, described Troy Maxson as “such a rich, complex character.” Madeline Appiah, who first encountered the play at drama school, said that playing Rose was “truly a dream.”

This revival arrives after more than ten years since a major UK staging of the play, reaffirming Fences’ continuing resonance and importance in British theatre. The tour offers an opportunity to experience August Wilson’s powerful storytelling through Headlong’s contemporary vision.