Sound of the Underground
By Travis Alabanza
Year staged: 2023
Opening night: 19/01/2023
Staged in: Royal Court Theatre
Cast Size: 8
Synopsis
Out to the electric night, where the bassline jumps in the backstreet light. The true sound of the underground is tearing duct tape, frenzied costume fixes, lighting up cigarettes, jangling tips and a whole lot of chaos. This is not your average night at the theatre. Legends of the London queer club scene come above ground to take over the Royal Court Theatre. Part-play, part-raucous cabaret, part-workers’ manifesto, join eight underground drag icons as they spill the tea, free the nipple and fight the shadowy forces that threaten their livelihoods. Bring some change. Tip generously. Travis Alabanza’s first play for the Royal Court spotlights London’s iconic underground club culture and questions what it means to get your money’s worth when it comes to art.
Original Cast
Chiyo
(Performed as self)
Lilly SnatchDragon
(Performed as sefl)
Ms Sharon Le Grand
(Performed as self)
Mwice Kavindele
Sadie Sinner The Songbird
Rhys Hollis
Rhys' Pieces
Sue Gives A F*ck
(Performed as self)
Tammy Reynolds
Midgitte Bardot
Wet Mess
(Performed as self)
Chiyo
(Performed as self)
Lilly SnatchDragon
(Performed as sefl)
Ms Sharon Le Grand
(Performed as self)
Mwice Kavindele
Sadie Sinner The Songbird
Rhys Hollis
Rhys' Pieces
Sue Gives A F*ck
(Performed as self)
Tammy Reynolds
Midgitte Bardot
Wet Mess
(Performed as self)
Production Team
Martin Lowe
Music Arranger and Supervisor
Rosie Elnile
Designer
Simisola Majekodunmi
Lighting
Max Johns
Set
Travis Alabanza
Writer
Debbie Hannan
Director
Femi Tiwo
Assistant Director
Tomas Palmer
Design Associate
Bambi/Omar Jordan Phillips
Movement Director
Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
Sound Design
Martin Lowe
Music Arranger and Supervisor
Rosie Elnile
Designer
Simisola Majekodunmi
Lighting
Max Johns
Set
Travis Alabanza
Writer
Debbie Hannan
Director
Femi Tiwo
Assistant Director
Tomas Palmer
Design Associate
Bambi/Omar Jordan Phillips
Movement Director
Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
Sound Design