Alterations Tickets

Pin down tickets for Alterations the play at the National

Alterations comes to the National Theatre’s Lyttelton stage in this first major revival, the largest ever staging, of playwright Michael Abbensetts’ hilarious, era defining play about the sacrifices made by the Windrush generation. Unfolding over 24 hours, Alterations follows Guayanese immigrant Walker Holt as he scrambles to fulfill the huge order that could make or break his tailor's shop. Directed by Lynette Lynton, making a highly anticipated return to the National, Alterations is a side - and seam - splitting comedy filled with heart - you won’t want to miss it!

What is the play Alterations about?

"Is that what you want? To be an underdog all your life?"

1970’s London, and Guyanese immigrant Walker Holt has big aspirations for his tailors shop - and the order that he needs to get there is just as large. Walker doesn’t want to just rent the shop, he wants to own it. Alterations is a laugh-out-loud, moving comedy that follows the ambitious Walker over the course of 24 hours, as he battles tirelessly to fulfill an order for an impossibly demanding new client. By the end of the night tensions are rising and relationships are frayed. What will Walker have to sacrifice to achieve the success he dreams of?

Said to have been inspired by a real Black-owned tailor shop playwright Michael Abbensetts discovered off Carnaby street in the ’70’s - comprised of just two sewing machines and an ironing board - Alterations is part of the Black Plays Archive, which collects groundbreaking works by Black British, African, and Caribbean playwrights.

First performed in 1978, Alterations takes audiences back to the London of years gone by, and shines a light on the ambitions and sacrifices made by the Windrush generation. Lynette Linton’s production is the first major rival of Alterations in over 40 years, and its largest ever staging. With additional material by Trish Cooke, this production promises to offer a fresh and exciting perspective on this era defining work.

Who are the Cast and Creatives of the play Alterations?

Alterations stars Olivier Award nominee Arinzé Kene MBE (Misty, Get Up Stand Up) as Walker and Blacktress UK founder Cherrelle Skeete (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The High Table) as Denise, with further casting to be announced.

Alterations is written by Michael Abbensetts, with additional material for The National’s revival by Award winning playwright and children’s book author Trish Cooke (Left Hangin', Back Street Mammy). Lauded as "the writer who gave Caribbeans a real voice in Britain" (BFI Screenonline), Michael Abbensetts was an Award winning Guyana-born British playwright and screenwriter best known for his plays Sweet Talk, Samba and In the Mood, and his BBC teleplay The Museum Attendant.

Bush Theatre Artistic Director Lynette Linton (Blues for an Alabama Sky, Sweat) directs, in a highly anticipated return to the National.

Book now for Alterations at The National Theatre!

This heartfelt, hilarious revival will have you splitting your seams. So don’t get stitched up - book today for Alterations at the National Theatre!