Black Power Desk
A powerful reimagining and exploration of what it means to love and fight for freedom.
Brixton House and PlayWell Productions in association with Birmingham Hippodrome and Salford’s Lowry announce the nine-strong cast for the World Premiere of Black Power Desk by critically-acclaimed playwright Urielle Klein-Mekongo (OLD VIC 12, ROUNDHOUSE, THE BUSH). The production, Brixton House’s largest to date, features an original score played by a live band blending RnB, Reggae, Soul and Ska.
This powerful, vibrant and compelling new musical follows the complex relationship between two sisters, starring Rochelle Rose and Veronica Carabai as Celia and Dina. The ensemble cast also stars Alexander Bellinfantie, Tomos Eames, Gerel Falconer, Fahad Shaft, Chanté Faucher, Alan Drake and Casey Bird.
The cast are supported by an incredible creative team which includes Director Gbolahan Obisesan; Rapperturg and Lyricist Gerel Falconer; Platinum-selling songwriter Renell Shaw and composition and dramaturg Gail Babb.
“The day you were born Black was the day politics was made your thing.”
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, shines 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.
In an often male-dominated world, the two sisters, Celia and Dina – both rooted in self-empowerment and fiercely committed to their community, both loyal and motivated by love – are divided by grief and radical politics. A moving story of the sisters who need to reconnect for the sake of their community. But will the fight for their community be worth the damage to their sisterhood?
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.
Press Night: Friday 5 September. Previews from Monday 1 September.
Tickets from £16, Pay What You Feel on 1 September.
Venue details
- Address:
- Brixton House Theatre
- 385 Coldharbour Lane
- London
- SW9 8GL