This production is recommended for ages 12+.
Performance dates
28 January 2025 - 22 February 2025
Run time: 2hrs 30mins (inc. interval)
Includes interval
23 reviews
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Play On! London Tickets
Journey to 1940s Harlem for a stylish retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night. Fusing a thrilling score from Duke Ellington with electric street dance, Vy, a female musician tries to make it in a man’s world. Directed by Michael Buffong (All My Sons), get ready to be transported to the jazz scene of New York’s Cotton Club. Book your tickets now!
What is Play On! about?
What does it take for a woman to make it in a man’s world?
Meet Vy, a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the smoky jazz clubs of Harlen. However, her dreams are quickly brought crashing down to earth when she learns from her uncle, Jester, that women will never be taken seriously in a man’s world. Like many pioneering heroes before her, she refuses to accept defeat. Through gender fluid cunning, Vy meets club owner The Duke and his sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv. Soon she is swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance, but who will come out on top?
Please bear in mind
This production is recommended for ages 12+.
Facts and critical acclaim
- Duke Ellington received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Award for music in 1999, and won a staggering 13 Grammy awards over the course of his three decade long career. He received a 14th Grammy after his death for the Best Historical Album.
- Playwright, Cheryl L.West is the recipient of the American Alliance For Theatre & Education Distinguished Play Award, Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award and Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
- Director Michael Buffong was named one of Creative Review's 50 Creative Leaders, and has been the artistic director of Talawa Theatre Company since 2011.
Play On! creatives
- Conceived by - Sheldon Epps
- Book - Cheryl L.West
- Director - Michael Buffong
- Music - Duke Ellington
Play On! cast
Cast to be announced.
Recent Reviews
Vibrant, fast paced, full of so much talent it was an explosion of sight and sound....just wonderful
Great show, fabulous music and dancing
Nice production, awful public who were constantly eating and chatting
A really exciting and delightful take on Shakespeare set in Harlem….superb voices, dancing and music. Fun-filled with a happy ending, offering an escape for a couple of hours.
This show was nothing short of incredible, and easily one of the best plays I’ve ever seen. My friend and I sat in the very last row of the theater and were as engaged and entertained as we would have been if we were sitting the front row. The actors had incredible talent and were able to captivate the audience through their outstanding voices and dance moves. This show was funny, romantic and compelling and I would highly recommend checking it out while you can!
An amazing performance powerful voices and story line was very easy followed.
Back ground music was too loud that couldn't hear the words fully
Great plot - kind of Shakespearean. The singing and dance choreography were amazing. A truly great performance from the cast.
The show was Amazing, a must see ??
Brilliant voices. Classy dancing and music. Good value
Do not miss this incredible show Packed with amazing singers and dancers, this is a joy from start to finish. The music is sublime and this is a feel-good evening that should be prescribed on the NHS! Go see this show.
Excellent tonic to cheer up dark nights great fun production
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