A Utopia Theatre and Sheffield Theatre production

Crown of Blood

Wed 3 - Sat 6 Mar 2027

Venue: Kings Theatre

Of what use is a good man without ambition? - Crown of Blood is a powerful new adaptation of Macbeth, following the story of General Aderemi in West Africa.

Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before

Following a battle victory, Aderemi is promoted to Field Marshall, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle. When the oracle says that Aderemi will later become King, he and his wife Oyebisi embark on a bloody mission to ensure he sits on the throne.

Set within 19th-Century Yorubaland, this adaptation of the classic tale is adorned with cultural heritage and spirituality in its storytelling, music and movement, creating a compelling mix of dimensions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is the classic, well-loved story of revenge, ambition and deception with a twist.

Credits

A Utopia Theatre and Sheffield Theatres production.
A Yoruba adaptation of Macbeth. Adapted by Oladipo Agboluaje, directed by Mojisola Kareem.
Developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate Programme.

A man in traditional African attire stands holding a white horsetail whisk, wearing a red cap reminiscent of the Crown of Blood, beaded necklaces, and a patterned robe against a dark background.

Two people in black clothing perform a dramatic Crown of Blood scene indoors. One stands gripping the other's chin while the other kneels on the floor, looking distressed.

A woman in a traditional dress stands tall, adorned with a striking Crown of Blood that hints at her mysterious heritage.

A man in a maroon traditional outfit, resembling the regal aura of the Crown of Blood, plays a drum with two sticks, raising one hand above his head against a dark background.

A man wearing a beanie and hoodie plays a handheld drum and smiles, his energy adding life to the scene—while another person, blurred in the background, sits quietly, wearing a shirt with a subtle Crown of Blood emblem.

A man with a gray beard sits barefoot on a chair, wearing black clothes, with a long red cloth—evoking a Crown of Blood—draped across the floor in front of him.

A man wearing a gray beanie and t-shirt stands with arms outstretched behind a large Crown of Blood drum in an indoor setting.

A woman in a grey sweater with a focused expression holds a black object in one hand and has a black tail-like accessory attached to her back, evoking the mysterious aura of the Crown of Blood.

A man with a gray beard wearing a knit hat and a patterned black poncho stands indoors, looking concerned, as if burdened by a Crown of Blood. In the background, a person holds papers.

A person wearing glasses and a blue shirt with a spade design is looking down and smiling indoors, as if contemplating their Crown of Blood.

A group of people pose together on a staircase indoors, smiling at the camera. The setting has red carpeted stairs and concrete walls, creating a dramatic backdrop fit for a Crown of Blood gathering.

A man in traditional African attire stands holding a white horsetail whisk, wearing a red cap reminiscent of the Crown of Blood, beaded necklaces, and a patterned robe against a dark background.

Two people in black clothing perform a dramatic Crown of Blood scene indoors. One stands gripping the other's chin while the other kneels on the floor, looking distressed.

A woman in a traditional dress stands tall, adorned with a striking Crown of Blood that hints at her mysterious heritage.

A man in a maroon traditional outfit, resembling the regal aura of the Crown of Blood, plays a drum with two sticks, raising one hand above his head against a dark background.

A man wearing a beanie and hoodie plays a handheld drum and smiles, his energy adding life to the scene—while another person, blurred in the background, sits quietly, wearing a shirt with a subtle Crown of Blood emblem.

A man with a gray beard sits barefoot on a chair, wearing black clothes, with a long red cloth—evoking a Crown of Blood—draped across the floor in front of him.

A man wearing a gray beanie and t-shirt stands with arms outstretched behind a large Crown of Blood drum in an indoor setting.

A woman in a grey sweater with a focused expression holds a black object in one hand and has a black tail-like accessory attached to her back, evoking the mysterious aura of the Crown of Blood.

A man with a gray beard wearing a knit hat and a patterned black poncho stands indoors, looking concerned, as if burdened by a Crown of Blood. In the background, a person holds papers.

A person wearing glasses and a blue shirt with a spade design is looking down and smiling indoors, as if contemplating their Crown of Blood.

A group of people pose together on a staircase indoors, smiling at the camera. The setting has red carpeted stairs and concrete walls, creating a dramatic backdrop fit for a Crown of Blood gathering.

MOJISOLA KAREEM

Director

OLADIPO AGBOLUAJE

Playwright

KEVIN JENKINS

Designer

BEN WRIGHT

Movement Director

ROB HART

Sound Designer

ALEXANDRA STAFFORD

Lighting Designer

KAYEFI OSHA

Co-composer and Musical Director

Omobolanle Akanbi

Gboun-Gboun

Jude Akuwudike

Opaleye / Kundi

Kehinde Bankole

Oyebisi

Tunji Falana

Afiliaka / Awosika

Patrice Naiambana

Iwalagba

Deyemi Okanlawon

Aderemi

Adeniyi Olusola Morolahun

Ayan / Ashabi / Ayebami

Adura Onashile

Iya Agan / Iyanifa

Kayefi Osha

Moremi / Woman

Toyin Oshinaike

Arokin

Mo Sesay

Ashadele

Tope Tedela

Aremo Adekanbi

Performance details

Show times: Evenings; 7.30pm; Matinees; 2.30pm
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes, including interval

Discounts

Friends2 for 1 opening night if booked before 31/01/25 or 20% off Tue – Thu (excludes Fri & Sat)
Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off (excl. Fri & Sat)

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Sat 6 March, 2.30pm
Touch tours Sat 6 March, 1pm
British Sign Language performance Sat 6 March, 2.30pm
Captioned performance Thu 4 March, 7.30pm

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