Retrograde Tickets

Kiln Theatre, London
Booking to 27 May 2023
Not currently booking

★★★★ “Electrifying” – Evening Standard

From the writer of award-winning, sold-out For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, Ryan Calais Cameron brings his explosive new play Retrograde to the Kiln Theatre for its world premiere.

This compelling new play explores identity, resilience and integrity as it examines a true event in the Golden Age of 1950’s Hollywood and the reality of Black actor Sidney Poitier and his journey to stardom.

Directed by Amit Sharma (The Boy with Two Hearts, Then Barbara Met Alan), the play explores a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon.  

Retrograde plays at the Kiln Theatre in London from 20 April to 27 May 2023.

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What's the story of Retrograde?

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?

Who is in the cast of Retrograde?

The cast features Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations Donmar West End; The Convert, Measure for Measure, Young Vic) as Sidney, Ian Bonar (Death of a Salesman,Young Vic and West End;, Ma Vie en Rose, Young Vic) as Bobby and Daniel Lapaine (The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s Globe; Other Desert Cities, Hedda Gabler, The Old Vic) as Mr Parks.

Who are the creative team of Retrograde?

Written by Ryan Calais Cameron

Directed by Amit Sharma

Design by Frankie Bradshaw

Lighting Design by Amy Mae

Sound Design by Beth Duke

Casting Direction by Juliet Horsley CDG

Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director – Jessica Mensah


Reviews of Retrograde

★★★★ "Ryan Calais Cameron’s portrait of Sidney Poitier is electrifying" - The Evening Standard
★★★★ "Terrific new play" - Financial Times
★★★★ "Ryan Calais Cameron cements himself as one of theatre’s most thrilling voices" - The Independent
★★★★ "Ivanno Jeremiah is magnetic as Poitier" - The Stage
★★★★ "Ryan Calais Cameron cements himself as one of theatre’s most thrilling voices" - The Independent
★★★★ "Ryan Calais Cameron’s terrific three-hander" - The Guardian
★★★★ "Sharply skewers race and power in Hollywood’s Golden Age" - i News

Read more reviews


Show Information

Performance dates
Booking to 27 May 2023
Age restrictions
14+
Running time
90 minutes (no interval)
Performance days
Evenings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Matinees: Wednesday, Saturday

Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.


Show Photos


Venue Information

Kiln Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR
Nearest Tube or Train: Kilburn (Jubilee line) / Brondesbury rail station
Nearest Buses: 16, 32, 189, 332, 632
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Ticket Information

Official London Theatre tickets for  Retrograde at the Kiln Theatre, London

Book tickets to Retrograde at the Kiln Theatre, London with WestendTheatre.com. You will be purchasing official London theatre tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.


News about Retrograde

Kiln Theatre adds to 2023 season: Es & Flo, Modest, Mlima’s Tale
The Kiln Theatre in North London has revealed further shows for its 2023 summer and autumn season of plays. The acclaimed Wales Millennium Centre production of Es & Flo by Jennifer Lunn is heading to the Kiln, playing from 5 to 24 June 2023. Directed by the Kiln's former Associate Director Susie McKenna, the play celebrates the love of an older lesbian relationship, and stars Doreene Blackstock as Flo and Liz Crowther as Es, with Michelle McTernan as Catherine, Adrianna Pavlovska as Beata and Renée Hart/Chioma Nduka as Kasia. Next up is Ellen Brammar’s Modest, running from 29 June to 15 July 2023, which is billed as an electrifying new play about Elizabeth Thompson – megastar of the Victorian art scene, performed by a cast featuring the UK's hottest drag talent. Music in the show is composed by Rachel Barnes, and Modest is co-directed by Luke Skilbeck, Artistic Director of artist-led company Milk Presents, and Paul Smith, Artistic Director of Hull-based company Middle Child.  The UK première of Lynn Nottage’s Mlima’s Tale will play the Kiln this Autumn, directed by Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman), about the ivory trade and the corruption it leaves in its wake. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage also wrote The Secret Life of Bees, and the musical adaptation of her book is premiering at the Almeida Theatre this April . Dates and casting for Mlima’s Tale will be announced soon. Kiln Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham said in a statement: “I am delighted that we will bring these two productions to Kiln this summer. Es & Flo, fresh from its première in Cardiff, shines a light on the experience of older women, whose stories we seldom see portrayed onstage, and I am pleased that we are giving the show a London home. Middle Child and Milk Presents are two award-winning companies, both producing cutting edge work, and Modest will be a thrilling event for our audiences, telling the story of a trailblazing Victorian artist.” Next up at the Kiln is Ryan Calais Cameron's new play Retrograde, running from 20 April to 22 May 2023, exploring a true event in the Golden Age of 1950’s Hollywood and the reality of Black actor Sidney Poitier and his journey to stardom. The Kiln's production of Zadie Smith’s play The Wife of Willesden is also about to start in New York, playing the Brooklyn Academy of Music from 1 to 16 April 2023. Book tickets to Retrograde at the Kiln Theatre Book tickets to Es & Flo at the Kiln Theatre Book tickets to Modest at the Kiln Theatre Book tickets to Mlima's Tale at the Kiln Theatre
Full casting announced for Sidney Poitier play Retrograde at Kiln Theatre
Full casting has been announced for world premiere of Ryan Calais Cameron’s new play Retrograde. Based on a true event in the life of actor Sidney Poitier in 1950s Hollywood, Retrograde will start at the Kiln Theatre on 20 April, playing to 27 May 2023. Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations Donmar West End; The Convert, Measure for Measure, Young Vic) will play Sidney, Ian Bonar (Death of a Salesman,Young Vic and West End;, Ma Vie en Rose, Young Vic) will play Bobby and Daniel Lapaine (The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare's Globe; Other Desert Cities, Hedda Gabler, The Old Vic) will play Mr Parks. Billed as an explosive new play that explores identity, resilience and integrity, Retrograde examines a true event in 1950’s 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? The play examines the reality of a Black actor’s journey to stardom, and explores a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon. Retrograde will be directed by Kiln Associate Director Amit Sharma. Amit Sharma said today: “Just when I thought I couldn’t be more energised about working on Retrogradealong come the stellar talents that are Ivanno, Daniel and Ian. I cannot wait to get started!” Ryan Calais Cameron is the writer of hit play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, which is set to transfer from the Royal Court Theatre into the West End, playing the Apollo Theatre from 25 March 2023. The show's design will be by Frankie Bradshaw, with Lighting Design by Amy Mae, Sound Design by Beth Duke, Casting Direction by Juliet Horsley CDG, and the Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director will be Jessica Mensah. More about tickets to Retrograde at the Kiln Theatre London
Ryan Calais Cameron’s new play Retrograde to premiere at Kiln Theatre
The Kiln Theatre in North London has announced the world premiere of Ryan Calais Cameron’s new play Retrograde. Based on a true event in the life of actor Sidney Poitier in 1950s Hollywood, Retrograde will start at the Kiln Theatre on 20 April, playing to 27 May 2023. Retrograde will be directed by Kiln Associate Director Amit Sharma, and casting is to be announced. Ryan Calais Cameron is the writer of hit play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, which is set to transfer from the Royal Court Theatre into the West End, playing the Apollo Theatre from 25 March 2023. Billed as an explosive new play that explores identity, resilience and integrity, Retrograde examines a true event in 1950’s 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? The play examines the reality of a Black actor’s journey to stardom, and explores a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon. The Kiln Theatre’s Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham said in a press statement: “It’s a real privilege to be producing Ryan Calais Cameron’s next play following his smash hit For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy… Directed by Associate Director Amit Sharma, this brand new play about Sidney Poitier promises to be both insightful and relevant.” Writer Ryan Calais Cameron said: “What drew me to writing a play about the Hollywood Blacklist is the intricacies around the idea of what it means to be Blacklisted and also Black. Retrograde tells the unheard story how Sidney Poitier, the cultural icon that we know and love, came to be and the huge decision he had to make. It explores what it feels to be an artist of colour, and the decisions and challenges we navigate on a day-to-day basis. It’s the right time to tell this story and ask these questions – the play explores what was, but also what is.” Director Amit Sharma said: “Retrograde was the first script I read as Kiln Associate Director. I was blown away by it; the extraordinary Ryan Calais Cameron has written a complex and gripping play exploring a moment in Sidney Poitier’s life which reinforces the legend. I’m honoured to be directing it.” The show's design will be by Frankie Bradshaw, with Lighting Design by Amy Mae, Sound Design by Beth Duke, Casting Direction by Juliet Horsley CDG, and the Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director will be Jessica Mensah. Currently playing at the Kiln Theatre is Zadie Smith’s The Wife of Willesden, until 11 February 2023. More about tickets to Retrograde at the Kiln Theatre London

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