Inspired by the historic Mangrove Nine and the British Black Power movement, Brixton House will present this original Black British Musical for a limited run this Autumn.
The cast of Black Power Desk. Headshots provided by production.
Written by the critically acclaimed playwright Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Black Power Desk will be the theatre's largest production to date. It will feature an original score played by a live band blending R&B, Reggae, Soul, and Ska.
Directed by Gbolahan Obisesan, the cast will be led by Rochelle Rose (Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon, Young Vic) as Celia and Veronica Carabai (Queen of Sheba, Vaults Festival) as Dina. They will be joined by Alexander Bellinfantie (A Midsummer Night's Dream, RSC), Tomos Eames (Trwy'r Ddinas Hon, Sherman Theatre Wales), Gerel Falconer (Tones, Brixton House), Fahad Shaft (Silo, Apple TV), Chanté Faucher (A Tale of Us, Brixton House/UK Tour), Alan Drake (To Kill A Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre) and Casey Bird (A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, Bridewell Theatre).
Set in 1970s London, Black Power Desk centres on a time of political unrest and cultural transformation. The new musical, which is inspired by real-life events, 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 creative team includes Rapperturg and Lyricist Gerel Falconer (Black British Theatre Award Winner 2023); Ivor Novello Prize winner and Platinum-selling songwriter Renell Shaw (Othello, GLOBE; ) 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 (My Neighbour Totoro). Movement Directionby Jade Hackett.
Black Power Desk will play at Brixton House from 1 - 28 September.
