Kiln Theatre presents
RETROGRADE
by Ryan Calais-Cameron
The Golden Age of Hollywood. Behind closed doors, aspiring actor Sidney Poitier is offered a lucrative contract that could make him a superstar. But what is he willing to sacrifice?
From the writer of award-winning, sold-out, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, Ryan Calais Cameron’s explosive new play explores identity, resilience, and integrity as it examines a true event in 1950’s Hollywood and the reality of a Black actor’s journey to stardom.
Directed by Kiln Associate Director Amit Sharma (The Boy with Two Hearts), this world premiere explores a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon. Retrograde asks the question; how much have we really evolved?
Casting to be announced.
Important Information
Age Guidance: 14+
Post show Q&A: Tues 2 May, 7.30pm
For content advice, click here.
Access Performances
Audio Description
All performances of Retrograde will be audio described.
Please note: you will need to pre-book a headset for the date of your performance. We cannot guarantee use of headsets if you arrive without pre-booking.
If this option isn’t available when booking online, or you wish to add this on after purchase, please contact Box Office on tickets@kilntheatre.com or call 020 7328 1000.
Audio Described Performances: All performances
Touch Tour: Thu 18 May, 6pm
Captioned Performances: Thu 11 May 7.30pm; Fri 12 May 7.30pm; Sat 13 May, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Relaxed Performance: Sat 20 May, 2.30pm
Click here for Access information. If you have any questions about any of our services or need assistance in arranging your visit please get in touch: 020 7328 1000
Email Access@KilnTheatre.com
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Ryan Calais Cameron
Writer
Ryan Calais Cameron’s plays include For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy (Nouveau Riche/Boundless/New Diorama/Royal Court Theatre – Black British Theatre Awards 2022 – Best Production Play Award, he was the winner of Best Director Award alongside Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, and also joint-winner of Best Performer in a Play at 2022 Stage Debut Awards), Living Newspaper, My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid), (Royal Court Theatre), Human Nurture (Theatre Centre/Crucible, Sheffield/UK tour), Queens of Sheba [co-writer] (Nouveau Riche/Edinburgh Festival Fringe/New Diorama/UK tour – Edinburgh Untapped Award, The Stage Edinburgh Award, Offie Award for Best Performance Piece), Typical (Nouveau Riche/Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre), Rhapsody (Arcola Theatre – Off West End Adopt A Playwright Award), and Timbuktu (Black Lives Black Words Festival, Bush/Theatre Royal, Stratford East). He is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Nouveau Riche Theatre Company.
Amit Sharma
Director
Amit Sharma trained with Missing Piece 1 (Graeae Theatre Company). Work in theatre includes The Boy with Two Hearts (National Theatre / Wales Millennium Centre); One Under and The Solid Life of Sugar Water (also at the National Theatre) for Graeae and Theatre Royal Plymouth; Aruna and the Raging Sun for Graeae, the British Council, India and La Fura Dels Baus as part of UK/India Year of Culture 2017; Cosmic Scallies for Graeae and the Royal Exchange, Manchester; Iron Man for Graeae on UK and international tour; Prometheus Awakes for Graeae, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, Stockton International Riverside Festival and La Fura Dels Baus, as part of London 2012 Festival. TV includes Then Barbara Met Alan, Hamish (Prix d’Italia winner, part of BAFTA-nominated Criptales season) and Thunderbox (part of BAFTA-nominated Criptales season). He was previously Deputy Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange, Manchester and Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company.
Frankie Bradshaw
Designer
Amy Mae
Lighting Designer
Beth Duke
Sound Designer
Juliet Horsley CDG
Casting Director
Isobel Pellow
Costume Supervisor
Jessica Mensah
Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director