The world premiere of a revolutionary new ‘Black British Musical’ will be coming to Salford this October.
Inspired by the historic Mangrove nine and other influential Black British activists, Black Power Desk, will perform at the Lowry from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 October.
By critically-acclaimed playwright, Urielle Klein-Mekongo, the live performance features a dynamic original score, blending the rich sounds of RnB, Reggae, Soul, and Ska, as part of its world premiere UK tour.
This powerful, vibrant and compelling new musical follows the complex relationship between two sisters starring Rochelle Rose and Veronica Carabai as Celia and Dina.
And stars Alexander Bellinfantie, Tomos Eames, Gerel Falconer, Fahad Shaft, Chanté Faucher, Alan Drake and Casey Bird.
Set in 1970s London, at a time of political unrest and cultural transformation, Black Power Desk, inspired by the real-life events of the Mangrove Nine and the British Black Power movement.
And it will shine a lyrical light on a rarely explored part of British history, providing audiences with a stirring portrait of the times alongside an epic and rich soundtrack of resistance.
Black Power Desk sits within Brixton House’s Uprising Festival, a season of work commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Brixton Uprising, sparked by the police shooting of Cherry Groce in 1985.
After opening at Brixton House from Monday 1 September, its world premiere UK tour will visit Warwick Arts Centre, Lowry, and Birmingham Hippodrome.
Ahead of the world premiere tour, playwright Urielle Klein-Mekongo said: “This musical was borne from a desire to delve deeper and discover the stories from Black British history that have been left untold.
“My inquisitiveness led me to create a story in the context of the Black British civil rights movement and how the establishment tried to extinguish it.”
Urielle continued: “At its heart are two sisters, one who is an activist fighting for humanity and the other who wants to hold on to family and live their humanity without the struggle.
“Told through the lens of two women with a rich 70s musical soundscape, I hope it will touch many hearts and stirs the soul.”
And with Brixton House being a co-producer of the show, it will aim to nurture talent and champion unheard voices.
As Levi Roots, chair of Brixton House said: “This story will resonate with so many people, including myself who lived through this culture defining time that Black Power Desk speaks to.
“I’m so proud that this exciting production will now have its moment and I wish many more people, beyond Brixton will learn about Black British history and the legacies we must continue to shine a light on.”
And this was emphasised by co-producer Steph Weller of PlayWell Productions who added: “The story is timeless, the music is phenomenal, the message as urgent as ever: we can’t wait for people to see it.”
And Salford audiences will be able to see it performed live at the Lowry from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 October, with tickets to the show starting at £16.
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