The Birmingham Repertory Theatre is continuing its range of productions with diversity in mind as part of its ongoing season.
Currently on stage is Coming to England, which tells TV presenter Floella Benjamin’s own story of emigrating from the West Indies.
That show completes its two-week run in the 820-seater The House tomorrow (Saturday 16 April), while Grimeboy opened in The Door, which holds 130 people, last night (14 April) and continues until April 30.
Later in the season comes the world premiere production of Playboy of the West Indies, which also takes place in The House from 10 June to 2 July.
Coming to England is also a world premiere stage adaptation based on Floella Benjamin’s award-winning and iconic book. It tells her own story of emigrating to England aged just 10, sailing from Trinidad with her siblings to join their parents.
And is shows how she, together with her family, overcame adversity and prejudice to become a successful entertainer and, later, Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.
Floella said she was “absolutely thrilled” that her book had been adapted into a stage musical by award-winning playwright David Wood.
In contrast, Grimeboy is the story of one man’s dream to become the biggest Grime MC in the country.
It is the new play from Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey, winner of the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020. Grimeboy is directed by The Rep’s Associate Director Madeleine Kludje.
And, for anyone wanting to aspire to Grimeboy’s dream, there will be a free Open Mic Night on Wednesday 27 April at 5.30pm, in the theatre’s brand new performance bar.
The current run of ethnically diverse shows concludes with Playboy of the West Indies, based on the classic Irish play, The Playboy Of The Western World.
The world premiere production is set around Peggy’s rum bar in sleepy Mayaro village when a mysterious stranger stumbles in. It has been transformed into a new musical with a toe-tapping score firmly rooted in the Caribbean.
Playboy of the West Indies features a score by Clement Ishmael (Five Guys Named Moe, The Lion King) and Dominique Le Gendre (Royal Opera House, Talawa Theatre). For information about all future shows at The Rep theatre please visit: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/
Tickets for Coming to England start at £10, for Grimeboy from £12, and for Playboy of the West Indies from £14.50.
Coming to England photos by Geraint Lewis.
