Birmingham Repertory Theatre

In a derelict cottage on the grounds of an English country manor house, ageing Caribbean recluse, Honey Man, tries in vain to save his colony of bees. His life is set to change when fiery teenage heiress Misty charges into his world and challenges all he knows.

Initially, the two clash, but over time, an unlikely friendship develops. Events take a dramatic turn when an antique painting reveals a secret that connects their lives in ways they never imagined, shedding light on the histories hidden in art and the connections between English heritage and the history of slavery.

Reworked for a brand new production and tour after a hugely successful premiere in 2012, The Honey Man has striking visual design and projections by Timothy Bird and sound design from Joseph Roberts, whose work was recently seen in Rudy’s Rare Records.

The production is a funny but highly moving exploration of Black British identity, ecological destruction and friendship that crosses generational and cultural divides. Through the story of an unlikely friendship between an elderly beekeeper and a troubled young teenager, the play looks at the relationship between two people on the fringes of society.