Brixton House marks its third anniversary with its biggest and most ambitious season to date. Seven thrilling shows form an eclectic and potent mix in a season that celebrates originality, spirit and resilience from the 1970s to the present day.
Marking 40 years since the 1985 riots, Brixton House is delighted to present a charged and inventive season of work that challenges assumptions and the mechanisms that drive relationships between women and society, honouring legacy stories, resistance and movements of change.
This celebratory season shines a light on the disruptive, original voices rooted in the hidden stories of Black British history. From dance floors and DJ decks, subversive strength in sisterhood to the power of the collective voice - this unprecedented season shares stories that advocate, reminisce and reflect the world we live in.
A major highlight of this upcoming season includes the much-anticipated world premiere of BLACK POWER DESK, presented by Brixton House and PlayWell Productions, in association with Birmingham Hippodrome and Lowry. Written by the critically acclaimed team of Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Renell Shaw and Gerel Falconer with direction by Gbolahan Obisesan and dramaturgy by Gail Babb, this major new musical is inspired by the historic Mangrove Nine and influential activists brought to energetic life with an original score by a live band.
Executive Creative Producer Ruth Hawkins said “Our third year marks the announcement of an incredible new season, as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Brixton Uprising with a collective of emerging artists and honorary Ovalhouse alumni. Every so often, you witness a piece of work by an incredible artist evolve over the years, and I couldn't be more honored to collaborate with PlayWell Productions to bring the highly anticipated world premiere of Urielle Klein Mekongo's new musical, BLACK POWER DESK, to Brixton House. This is our biggest show yet—one that deserves a life far beyond our walls—placing the Black British female narrative front and centre. This season really asks you to think about what resistance means to you.
The work that Casa and Trybe House have delivered already signifies the strength in our partnership and I’m delighted to welcome them both to the Brixton House family as new associate companies, joined by friends and collaborators Tonderai Munyevu, designer Amelia Jane Hankin writer and poet Bridget Minamore director Milli Bhatia and launch my artistic collective.
I am also incredibly proud, alongside the family of the late Brixton Stories writer Biyi Bándélé, to be launching the Biyi Bándélé Bursary Fund, which will provide African diaspora writers with a small bursary and mentorship.
Having been part of Ovalhouse in 2012 developing artists as Creative Producer – this first season as Executive Creative Producer will hopefully show what's to come. It’s an incredibly exciting time to establish an all-female leadership team, led by Delia Barker, as we remain committed to developing and celebrating artists, our community and new work. The season continues our commitment to investing in the creative futures of groundbreaking storytellers, in South London.”
The full season includes:
HOME and Reece Williams present
This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys)
By Reece Williams
Directed by Matt Fenton
Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 APR 2025 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys) is the powerful new stage show from poet and musician, Reece Williams.
This is a story about growing up in Manchester’s Moss Side in the 90s, a stone’s throw from conflict and violence. It celebrates a community held together by prayers, warmth and humour, while mourning the tragic loss of young life. Reece cleverly explores the intersection of race and class, questioning when the media only portrays you through the lens of ‘Gunchester,’ gangs and poverty.
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“This Kind of Black is both moving and gently celebratory.” Adventures in Theatreland
“A real celebration of community, depicting its strength, hardship, humour and resilience. Williams is absolutely brilliant.” I Love Manchester
Tiny & Tall Productions present
A Tale of Us
By Sharon Kanolik
Directed by Jade Lewis
Designed by Jemma Robinson
Tuesday 15 to Thursday17 APR 2025 at 10am, 12pm & 2.30pm
Join Ivy and her little one on a funny, frank and magical journey through their first year of life together. Blending drama and multi-sensory playtime in a relaxed and beautifully designed environment, this is a celebration of the wonder, joys and challenges of becoming a new parent. After each performance there will be a guided stay and play session – a chance for everyone to explore the world of the show and meet other parents and babies. Made for parents with children aged 0-18 months.
Brixton House and Zoe Gibbons Productions presents
A Brixton House Premiere.
MILLENNIUM GIRLS
By Sophia Leonie
Directed by Jade Lewis
Set and Costume Design by Cara Evans
Monday 12 to Saturday 31 MAY 2025, at 2.45pm & 7.45pm
PRESS NIGHT: Thursday 15 May, 7.45pm
“I love my estate. I thought it was so run down when we first came here, but I’d actually hate to live on a road again. No 40-40 run outs, no water fights, no park, no astro. It’s always buzzing – cars blasting music, kids playing. We’ve kinda made the wall by the entrance our spot. And we know – we get A LOT of attention.”
Spanning three decades, we join Jessica, Chanel and Latisha as they navigate first kisses, free yards, bullies and breakdowns. And some things you don’t talk about. Ever.
MILLENNIUM GIRLS brings together an all-female cast against a musical backdrop of UK Garage and 90s classics in this joyful and achingly honest coming-of-age story exploring identity, girlhood and consent. Sophia Leonie’s debut play is directed by Jade Lewis (Sleepova – Bush Theatre Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre) with Music Supervision from Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (The Effect – National Theatre). This production is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Brixton House and Tamasha presents
STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey
By Mojisola Adebayo
Directed by Gail Babb, musical direction by Debo Adebayo
Designed by Miriam Nabarro
Animation by Candice Purwin
Thursday 5 to Saturday 28 JUN 2025, at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
PRESS NIGHT: Monday 9 June, 7.30pm
“Free your behind and your mind will follow!”
Meet Mrs: an old lady who goes into outer space… in search of her own orgasm.
Performed by one woman and a live DJ, with projected animations, travel with a woman in search of her lost orgasm, spanning across outer space, with dustings of African mythology and folklore in an unabashedly Queer, intersex and feminist rallying play. Featuring music by Sun Ra, Jamila Woods, Floating Points, and more.
A “concept album on stage”, the experimental and expansive STARS is written by internationally acclaimed theatremaker, artist and Alfred Fagon award-winner, Mojisola Adebayo (Family Tree (Actors Touring Company). Winner of ‘Best New Play’ at the Offies 2024, STARS is the hilarious and moving new play celebrating Black Queer empowerment and arousal.
Join us for late nights as the theatre transforms into a celebratory club night after the show on selected performances, with multiple DJs and accessible for all (18+). Originally produced by Tamasha and The Institute of Contemporary Arts.
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Brixton House and No Table Productions present
One Way Out
Written and directed by Montel Douglas
Wednesday 18 JUN to Saturday 5 JUL 2025, 2.45pm & 7.45pm
PRESS NIGHT: Friday 20 June, 7.45pm
Windrush Day performance: Sunday 22 June, 2.45pm
Is your fate already decided or is there one way out?
Best friends Devonte, Paul, Tunde, and Salim are about to finish college. As life pulls them in different directions, an earth-shattering event forces these friends to confront the harsh realities of the world around them – how they’re seen, where they belong, and who they’re expected to become. With their brotherhood hanging in the balance, they are faced with choices that could change everything.
One Way Out is the powerful and energetic debut play by Montel Douglas – a touching coming-of-age story about identity, belonging and survival. Set in a rapidly changing South London, where youth clubs are vanishing and gentrification threatens to erase entire communities, One Way Out explores the strength of cross-cultural friendships and the legacy of young British Caribbeans navigating the fallout of the Windrush crisis. This is a story about home, brotherhood and the pursuit of something as simple as a patty.
A HighRise Entertainment Production, co-developed with Brixton House
Lil.Miss.Lady
Written and directed by Dominic Garfield, with music by Lady Lykez
Set and costume by Stella Backman
Wednesday 9 JUL to Sunday 20 JUL 2025, 4.00pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm
PRESS NIGHT: Thursday 10 July, 7.30pm
From the early stages of Jungle, ravers will take an immersive journey through the sounds and visuals of UK bass music culture, reminiscing through UK Garage, Sub-Low, Funky House, Dubstep and Grime.
Inspired by a series of interviews with influential women in the Grime scene including Lady Stush, Lioness, Queenie and Baby Blue; Lil.Miss.Lady celebrates Grime and what it means to be a female navigating her way through a heavily male-dominated industry.
A Brixton House and PlayWell Productions co-production
In association with Birmingham Hippodrome and Lowry
BLACK POWER DESK
Book, Lyrics and Composition by Urielle Klein-Mekongo
Music and Composition by Renell Shaw
Lyrics and Rapperturgy by Gerel Falconer
Directed by Gbolahan Obisesan
Dramaturgy by Gail Babb
Monday 1 to Sunday 28 SEP 2025, 2.30pm, 5.00pm, 7.30pm
PRESS NIGHT: Friday 5 September, 7.30pm
An Original Musical, World Premiere
1970s London.
The streets awash with a fever of political unrest, the rhythm of the sound system culture is birthing a new era of soulful lover’s rock, fusing RnB and reggae, amidst the covert Black Power Desk operations of New Scotland Yard. As tensions rise, the community rallies together to stand against injustices and racial divides.
“The day you were born Black was the day politics was made your thing.”
BLACK POWER DESK is a powerful reimagining and exploration of what it means to love and fight for freedom. In an often male-dominated world, 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 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?
Inspired by the historic Mangrove Nine and other influential activists and brought to life by an original score performed by a live three-piece band, BLACK POWER DESK is a musical soundtrack charting a fiercely emotive and politically charged era of often overlooked British history for today's generation. At a time of the rise of British Black Panthers, the onset of the Immigration Act 1971, the emergence of Black business ownership and the hails of a generation living through the racial tensions of Great Britain.
“Don’t let it be for nothing so breathe and don’t ask permission.”
BLACK POWER DESK transports you back to the 1970s, premiering at Brixton House, London this Autumn 2025. Written by the critically acclaimed team of Urielle Klein-Mekongo (Roundhouse, The Bush, The Old Vic), Renell Shaw (Ivor Novello Award, Rudimental) and Gerel Falconer (TONES, HighRise, Stage Debut nominee), directed by Gbolahan Obisesan (Young Vic, The Bush, Royal Court). Other creatives include Gail Babb, Natalie Pryce, Tony Gayle, and Jessica Cabassa.
BLACK POWER DESK is generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, Axis and L&Q.
Alongside the theatre programme, the season includes a literary series in partnership with Dark Matter and Fane Productions showcasing authors such as Jason Allen-Paisant. House Lates in the Bar will offer late-night events of comedy, DJ sessions, and social quizzes and games nights.
Free family activities continue during school holidays, while the Brixton House Community Choir and the Elder’s social group Brixton House Good Neighbours return for another season.
This season also sees Executive Creative Producer Ruth Hawkin’s artistic vision to bring a creative community together at Brixton House, starting with a call out to their new submission process for 2026 so they can read all of the incredible stories coming their way and announcement of new Associate Companies CASA and Trybe House. CASA is committed to facilitating cultural exchanges between Latin America and the UK; while Trybe House Theatre focuses on building resilience and well-being by creating opportunities for Black men to tell their story unapologetically. Ruth also announces a team of creative advisors, Tonderai Munyevu, Amelia Jane-Hankin, Bridget Minamore, Milli Bhatia, Roy Alexander Weiss.
The recent celebration marking the cultural venue’s third year showcased upcoming work and featured speeches from David Byran to Levi Roots as they transitioned Chair leadership. CEO Delia Barker called for support to the House Fund as the organisation forges ahead with its newly established female-led executive team shifting the tempo ahead of this momentous season of work.
Brixton House is generously supported by AXIS to offer subsidised tickets to Lambeth schools. This new partnership will be launched with our upcoming production of BLACK POWER DESK, and enable up to 180 local pupils and teachers to experience this brand new, large-scale musical”
