Kiln Theatre's acclaimed production of Retrograde by Ryan Calais Cameron begins performances in the West End next month.
Ivanno Jeremiah and Stanley Townsend in rehearsals for Retrograde. Credit Marc Brenner.
Here's our first look inside the rehearsal room of Retrograde.
Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations, Donmar/West End) will reprise the role of Hollywood icon Sidney Poitier alongside his protagonist Mr Parks is Stanley Townsend (The Normal Heart, National Theatre) and Oliver Johnstone (Antigone, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as writer Bobby.
The production follows Ryan's smash hit production For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy which played at the Apollo Theatre in 2023 before returning again in 2024 at the Garrick Theatre.
Amit Sharma directs the production which explores the pivotal moment in the life of legendary actor Sidney Poitier during the 1950s in Hollywood. Retrograde confronts themes of systemic racism, prejudice, and the challenges of typecasting while striving for his breakthrough role.
The creative team includes director Amit Sharma, Frankie Bradshaw (Set and Costume Designer), Amy Mae (Lighting Designer), Beth Duke (Sound Designer) and Juliet Horsley CDG (Casting Director).
Retrograde will play at the Apollo Theatre from 8 March until 14 June 2025.
