Brixton Calling, a new play with live music inspired by bestselling memoir ‘Live at the Brixton Academy’, is coming to Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer.
Directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, Flowers for Mrs Harris, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Brixton Calling is playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough from 23 July to 16 August 2025.
Brixton Calling is the story of the 23-year-old rebel who bought a derelict cinema for £1 in 1983, called it The Academy, and built the music venue that changed everything.
The play boasts an electric live soundtrack of reggae, punk, rock, and rave.
Brixton Calling is inspired by Simon Parkes’ bestselling memoir ‘Live at the Brixton Academy’, and is adapted for the stage by Alex Urwin.
The show promises to stage the birth of a legend, told – in so far as they can remember – by the people who were there. And it’s a story brought to life on stage for the very first time, just 15 minutes from where it all happened at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
Director Bronagh Lagan said in a statement: “Brixton Calling isn’t just a play — it’s a riot of sound, story, and spirit. Set against the fire of ’80s Brixton —a place where pain met power, and out of the cracks, something electric grew. A time of unrest, resistance, and radical creativity — this show hits hard, plays loud and grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go.”
Writer Alex Urwin and producer John Dinneen said: “Brixton Calling is a joyous time capsule for music fans and just as importantly, an entry point into the big questions of how all of music, politics, south London and Britain changed through the ‘80s and ‘90s – for better and for worse – and the legacies of that change we’re still working through today. We can’t wait to transport audiences back in time to experience the legendary moments that became part of this country’s music history.”
Simon Parkes said: “The ‘80s and ‘90s was such a great era of music. London was changing, Brixton was a political hot potato and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and didn’t take no for an answer. The Academy turned into a theatre of dreams hosting the biggest names in music and politics. Reliving those times through Alex’s stage play will be an emotional thrill ride. I hope this story will inspire people to think anything is possible, all you need is self-belief, an absolute passion and a little bit of luck on your side.”
Brixton Calling is running at Southwark Playhouse Borough in London from 23 July to 16 August 2025.
UPDATES: First published 26 March 2025; Updated 15 April 2025
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