August Wilson’s Fences

August Wilson’s Fences London tickets

Troy Maxson has cheated death once, but the past keeps closing in. On the streets of 1950s Pittsburgh, he cracks jokes and spins stories, yet at home the pressure is building. A life shaped by missed chances and hard choices begins to tighten around him, and the cracks start to show.

Rose holds the family together as best she can, seeing a changing world and hoping their son Cory might find a freedom Troy never had. But when ambition, frustration and expectation collide, the Maxsons are pushed towards a reckoning that could reshape everything they know.

About August Wilson’s Fences

August Wilson’s Fences is one of the key works in his acclaimed Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of plays charting the African American experience across the 20th century. First performed in 1985 and later awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it is widely regarded as a landmark of American theatre for its rich characterisation and lyrical realism. Set in the 1950s, the play examines the impact of systemic racism on Black life in post-war America, particularly how it shapes work, family, and the idea of personal legacy. Wilson’s writing is rooted in everyday speech and rhythm, giving the dialogue a naturalism that heightens both humour and emotional intensity.

At its core, Fences is also a study of generational conflict and the competing meanings of responsibility and opportunity. The play explores how the past can shape present choices, especially within families trying to build stability in a world that has historically limited their options.

Facts and Critical Acclaim

• Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
• A defining work in August Wilson’s celebrated Pittsburgh Cycle.
• Widely regarded as one of the most important American plays of the 20th century
• Praised for its lyrical dialogue and unflinching portrait of family life in 1950s America.

Fences Cast

• Troy – Ray Fearon
• Rose – Madeline Appiah
• Cory – Josh Tedeku
• Lyons – Michael Ahomka-Lindsay

Fences Creatives

• Writer – August Wilson
• Director – Daniel Bailey
• Set and Costume Designer – Lily Arnold
• Composer and Sound Designer – Khalil Madovi
• **Lighting Designer **– Jai Morjaria
• Movement Director – Shelley Maxwell
• Fight Director – Kev McCurdy
• Design Associate – Emily King
• Voice and Dialect Coach – Aundrea Fudge

Please Bear in Mind

Fences is a strictly limited London season, and early booking is recommended.