A manager from Westside BID will have a special seat in the house at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week – right in the middle of the stage.
RUSH A Joyous Jamaican Journey tells the story of the Windrush Generation who came to Britain from the Caribbean over the course of a quarter of a century from 1948 to 1973.
The show, which also charts the growth of reggae music, has proved so popular that all three nights have sold out between February 10 and 12.
And Elaine Weir, business liaison manager at Westside BID, will be joining the cast of singers and musicians
A Joyous Jamaican Journey is produced by the Rush Theatre Company and features live music from the JA Reggae Band.
Elaine, who used to sing with a gospel choir in Birmingham, said: “It’s a show that tells the story of the Windrush journey.
“It’s about a generation of people who came over from the Caribbean to the UK and settled here.
“This show is educational, entertaining and uplifting and it’s so nice to be a part of it, something that is also historical.”
Added Elaine: “I used to sing with a gospel choir and I still get drafted in occasionally for shows like this. The singers and musicians are excellent.”
The two-and-a-half-hour show, which is narrated by comedian John Simmit, features live music including ska, calypso, gospel and reggae made famous by Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, and others.
The UK marks Windrush Day, named after the arrival of the Empire Windrush from the Caribbean 22 June 1948.
They, and other people from across the Commonwealth, were encouraged to make their homes in the UK to fill large numbers of jobs after World War Two.
