Play On!

★★★★★
"Charming, enchanting, laugh-out-loud funny"
What's On Stage

Play On! is an all-singing, all-dancing stylish retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with a live band set amidst the jazz scene of New York's Cotton Club.

Co-produced with Talawa, one of our Associate Companies, Play On! tells the story of Vy, a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the 1940's Harlem scene. Despite it being very much a man’s world, she refuses to accept defeat and transforms herself into Vy-man to gain acceptance. Upon meeting club owner, The Duke and sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv, she’s soon swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance.

"A great night out"
British Theatre Guide

Fusing the thrilling music of Duke Ellington with classic and contemporary choreography, Play On! is directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong (A Kind of People, Royal Court; All My Sons, Talawa and Royal Exchange). Prepare to be wowed by this musical spectacular that will have your toes tapping and hands clapping along with the timeless soundtrack.

On Sat 19 Oct at 2pm the performance will be Audio Described. There will be a touch tour beginning at 1.30pm in the auditorium 

“Buffong and his cast infuse the action with an engaging energy”
Arts City Liverpool

“If you can’t get to New York, get to this show instead”
The Broken Spine  

www.talawa.com

A new Jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Conceived by Sheldon Epps and Book by Cheryl L.West
Music by Duke Ellington 
Produced by Talawa Theatre Company and The Belgrade Theatre
Co-produced with Birmingham Hippodrome, Bristol Old Vic, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Wiltshire Creative
Artwork by Feast Creative