The ground-breaking and critically acclaimed winner of every ‘Best Musical’ award on Broadway, and the Pulitzer Prize, bursts onto the stage this summer for a one time only, limited season.
Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher, a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, so writes a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who’s writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer...a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, Michael R. Jackson’s blisteringly funny, ‘audacious and uproarious’ (The Guardian) show is a heartfelt and thought-provoking masterwork that uses humour and honesty to explore themes around race and sexuality.
Running time: 1 hour and 40 minutes (no interval)
Age restriction: Under 16s will not be admitted
This production contains explicit language, references to racism, sexual assault, homophobia and scenes of an adult nature. The show uses strobe, flashing lights and sudden loud noises.
For more information about the themes in this show, see our Content Advice and Resources page.
Appearance of individual performers not guaranteed.
There are Audio-described, Captioned and BSL-interpreted performances across the run. See the dates below and on our Accessible Events page.
Post-show talks (evening only)
Free to same-day ticket holders
Wed 30 Aug – The Art of Making a Musical
Hosted by Shanay Holmes (actor, singer-songwriter and producer) with Jake Brunger (playwright and lyricist), Danielle Fiamanya (stage and screen actress), Jamie Fletcher (director and musician) and Rob Madge (performer and writer).
Thu 31 Aug – We're Not Done Yet: Challenging HIV stigma through community and scientific action with Positive East
Hosted by Becky Wilkins (Trustee of Positive East) with Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma (author) and Dr Kate Bishop (Francis Crick Institute).
Wed 6 Sep – Radical Queer Rebels: creating queer joy and queer spaces without compromise
Hosted by Glyn Fussell (founder of Sink the Pink and Festival Director, Mighty Hoopla) with Amy Redmond (co-founder of Sink the Pink and founder of Margate Pride), Josh Rivers (Head of Cultural Partnerships at UK Black Pride and Host of Busy Being Black) and Asttina Mandella (drag artist and Sink the Pink alumni).
Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions, the National Theatre, Barbara Whitman Productions and Wessex Grove
Presented in association with the Barbican
