This episode, we're celebrating a remarkable variety of theatre, from Ballet Black's 25th anniversary at Sadler's Wells to political intrigue in The Gang of Three, a thrilling musical reinvention of Thelma & Louise at the Young Vic, and a gripping newsroom drama starring Letitia Wright at the National Theatre.
Ballet Black at 25
Founded by Cassa Pancho, the groundbreaking Ballet Black celebrates 25 years of championing dancers of Black and Asian descent with an extraordinary double bill.
Mthuthuzeli November's Olivier Award-winning Ingoma, inspired by the 1946 South African miners' strike, returns alongside …all towards hope, a joyful new commission from acclaimed American choreographer Hope Boykin, making her UK choreographic debut.
We explore how this remarkable company continues to challenge conventions, champion diverse voices and tell powerful stories through dance.
The Gang of Three
Politics, ambition and a fascinating glimpse behind the closed doors of Westminster.
Written by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky and directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, The Gang of Three brings together three towering Labour politicians: Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland, whose friendships, rivalries and political ambitions helped shape modern Britain.
Starring Hywel Morgan as Jenkins, Colin Tierney as Healey and Alan Cox as Crosland, this sharp, witty political drama explores loyalty, ideology and the compromises made in the pursuit of power.
Thelma & Louise
Buckle up! The iconic 1991 road movie becomes a brand-new musical at the Young Vic.
Amy Lennox stars as Thelma alongside Rachel Tucker as Louise, with Jordan Luke Gage as JD and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Hal.
Reimagined for the stage by the film's original Oscar-winning screenwriter Callie Khouri, with music and lyrics by Neko Case and direction by Trip Cullman, this exhilarating musical celebrates female friendship, freedom and rebellion against a world determined to hold women back.
We discuss the powerhouse performances, the new score and whether this much-loved cinematic classic finds a fresh life on stage.
The Story
Letitia Wright, best known for Marvel's Black Panther, makes her National Theatre debut in The Story, a compelling newsroom thriller by Tracey Scott Wilson, directed by Clint Dyer.
When a white teacher is murdered in a Black neighbourhood, an ambitious young journalist sees an opportunity to break a career-defining story. But as the investigation unfolds, questions of race, truth, journalistic integrity and personal ambition become increasingly tangled.
With a formidable cast including Lorraine Toussaint, Ashley Thomas, Aliyah Odoffin and Wilf Scolding, this thought-provoking drama examines the stories we choose to tell, the truths we overlook and the price of getting ahead.
From Ballet Black's extraordinary legacy to Westminster power struggles, a rebellious American road trip and the murky ethics of journalism, this episode explores the people who challenge the establishment - and those determined to control the narrative.
Four productions. Powerful stories. And some truly exceptional talent.
","author_name":"Natalie Maher & Darren Murphy"}