Cast announced for BLACK POWER DESK an 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 have announced the nine-strong cast for the World Premiere of Black Power Desk (1 September - 28 September) by critically-acclaimed playwright Urielle Klein-Mekongo. 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.
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.
The cast are supported by an incredible creative team which includes Director Gbolahan Obisesan; Rapperturg and Lyricist Gerel Falconer; Ivor Novello Prize winner and Platinum-selling songwriter Renell Shaw who collaborated on the music and composition and award-winning dramaturg Gail Babb and Alfred Fagon Awards 2025 Black Champion of Theatre. Set Design by Natalie Pryce, Costume Design by Jessica Cabassa, renowned for her collaboration with Ballet Black; Lighting Design by Prema Mehta, the founder of StageSight and has lit over 200 stages across the UK, Europe and US in her 20 year career; Sound Design by Olivier-award winner Tony Gayle. Movement Direction by Jade Hackett.
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.
Tickets from £16 - pay What You Feel on 1 September. The show will then tour to major regional theatres including Warwick Arts Centre, Lowry and Birmingham Hippodrome.