Principal casting announced for China Plate & Birmingham Hippodrome’s new concert musical TO THE STREETS!
China Plate and Birmingham Hippodrome have announced the principal cast for their new concert musical To The Streets!, an uplifting new musical by Roy Williams and Tim Sutton.
The musical is based on an original idea by Christopher Haydon and inspired by the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the UK’s civil rights history. These special concert performances will take place between 19-28 August at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, Windmill Hill, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, and West Park, Wolverhampton, as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.
It’s 1963 and the Swinging Sixties have arrived: The Beatles release their debut album, the mini skirt is born and the Civil Rights movement is gaining ground in America. Back in the UK, the country is emerging from the Big Freeze. As temperatures thaw, tensions are running high in Bristol where the Omnibus Company refuses to employ Black or Asian drivers or conductors. Paul Stephenson, an idealistic youth worker, takes to the streets to stand up for equality. Lorraine, a teenager, newly arrived from Jamaica, joins the fight and, in so doing, finds her voice and becomes part of a movement that changes history. With an explosive, feel-good score bursting with ska, calypso and rock ‘n’ roll… this is a story of standing up for what you believe in, allyship, and – ultimately – finding joy.
Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, UK tour; Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park) will play Paul, with Jonathan Andre (The Lion King, West End; The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre) as Roy, McCallam Connell (The Playboy of the West Indies, Birmingham Rep; Small Island, National Theatre) as Des, Paul Kemble (School of Rock, UK tour; Made in Dagenham, West End) as Bert, Duane Lamonte (Motown the Musical, West End; The Lion King, West End) as Guy, Jessie May (Mamma Mia!, West End; Mame, Hope Mill Theatre) as Secretary, Denise Pitter (Guys and Dolls, West End; To Kill a Mockingbird, Mercury Theatre, Colchester) as Pearl, Charlotte St Croix (Hairspray, UK tour; Decade, National Theatre) as Lorraine, and Andy Watkins (Kinky Boots, UK tour; Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Curve, UK tour and West End) as Harry..
To the Streets! is directed by Christopher Haydon, with a book by Roy Williams, music and lyrics by Tim Sutton, design by Soutra Gilmour and choreography from Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe.
Ahead of the concert performances, which will be family friendly and accessible to all, audience members will be invited to enjoy some food, drink, DJ sets, plus music and entertainment from local arts organisations.
Roy Williams said: “History is littered with forgotten stories, especially black stories which always enrages me. The more important they are the angrier I become. The Bristol Bus Boycott is such an important event in British history. The protestor’s actions brought widespread attention to the problem of racism in Britain at the time. Their success brought a profound and positive sense of hope for the possibility of progress.”
Tickets for To The Streets! are on sale now. To book tickets for Birmingham and Wolverhampton, please click here or to book tickets for Coventry, please click here.
