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A Strange Loop

— ,Barbican Theatre
A Strange Loop

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.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Young Barbican PRIDE 2023 More...

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
 

Performers

  • Kyle Birch   Usher
  • Sharlene Hector   Thought 1
  • Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea   Thought 2
  • Yeukayi Ushe   Thought 3
  • Tendai Humphrey Sitima   Thought 4
  • Danny Bailey   Thought 5
  • Eddie Elliott   Thought 6
  • Christopher Michael Richardson   Usher cover
  • Rebecca Bernice Amissah   Understudy Thought 1
  • Momar Diagne   Understudy Thought 2, 3, 4
  • Jean-Luke Worrell   Understudy Thought 5,6

Creative team

  • Michael R. Jackson   Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
  • Raja Feather Kelly   Choreographer
  • Stephen Brackett   Director
  • Rona Siddiqui   Music Supervisor
  • Charlie Rosen   Orchestrations
  • Arnulfo Maldonado   Scenic Design
  • Montana Levi Blanco   Costume Design
  • Jen Schriever   Lighting Design
  • Drew Levy   Sound Design

Reviews

  • ‘The most thrillingly playful and hilarious new musical to hit London in years. Spectacular.‘
    Evening Standard
  • ‘Slick, tuneful, irreverent and funny‘
    Time Out London
  • ‘Magnificent. Strikingly original and highly entertaining‘
    The Guardian
  • ‘Without doubt, the show of the summer‘
    Pink News

Discover

Accessibility

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.

BSL-interpreted performances
Thu 17 Aug, 2.30pm

Find out more about Accessible Events at the Barbican. For more information about the themes in this show, see our Content Advice page.

 


 

Barbican Theatre

Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

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