The brand new production Play On!, part of Talawa’s 2024 Black Joy season, is touring the UK and comes to Birmingham Hippodrome this November. New production imagery has been released, offering audiences an insight into the colour, intimate setting and stylish nature of this new musical.

Play On! is a jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set to the music of the legendary pianist and composer Duke Ellington. From Talawa, the UK’s outstanding Black theatre company, this joyous, musical retelling of Shakespeare’s beloved play brings to life the 1940s New York jazz scene, set to a timeless score.

Viola, played by Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, is a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the 1940’s Harlem scene. She quickly learns from her Uncle Jester that women will never be taken seriously in a man’s world. But, like many a strong hero, she refuses to accept defeat.

As she meets club owner, The Duke (Earl Gregory) and sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv (Kori Hedgemon), she is swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance. Violet believes that disguising herself as a man will give her a better shot in a male-dominated music world, audiences will have to wait and see who comes out top.

This stylish retelling of Twelfth Night is directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong (A Kind of People, Royal Court; All My Sons, Talawa and Royal Exchange) and fuses the thrilling music of Duke Ellington with rich street dance choreography.

Play On! comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 6 to Saturday 9 November. Tickets for Play On! can be booked here or by calling 0844 338 5000*

*0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.