The World Premiere of Black Power Desk, a new Black British musical by critically-acclaimed playwright Urielle Klein-Mekongo is coming to Birmingham Hippodrome next month.

Presented by Brixton House and Playwell Productions in association with Birmingham Hippodrome and Salfords’ Lowry, Black Power Desk comes to the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 October, following an extended and critically-acclaimed London run at Brixton House and UK tour.

This powerful and compelling new musical, featuring an original score and a live band blending RnB, Reggae, Soul and Ska follows the complex relationship between two sisters starring Rochelle Rose (National Theatre, Young Vic, Royal Court) and Veronica Carabai (Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre) as Celia and Dina. The ensemble cast also stars Alexander Bellinfantie, Tomos Eames, Gerel Falconer, Fahad Shaft, Chanté Faucher, Alan Drake and Casey Bird.

Set in 1970’s London, at a time of political unrest and cultural transformation, Black Power Desk, inspired by the real-life events of the Mangrove Nine and the British Black Power movement, shines a lyrical light on a rarely explored part of British history, providing audiences with a stirring portrait of the times alongside an epic and rich soundtrack of resistance.

The cast are supported by an incredible creative team which includes Director Gbolahan Obisesan (The Fisherman, Trafalgar Studios, Olivier-nominated Cutting It, Royal Court); Rapperturg and Lyricist Gerel Falconer (Black British Theatre Award Winner 2023); Ivor Novello Prize winner and Platinum-selling songwriter Renell Shaw (Othello, Globe) who collaborated on the music and composition; development and dramaturgy by award-winning dramaturg Gail Babb and Alfred Fagon Awards 2025 Black Champion of Theatre. Set Design by Natalie Pryce, Costume Design by Jessica Cabassa, renowned for her collaboration with Ballet Black; Lighting Design by Prema Mehta, the founder of StageSight and has lit over 200 stages across the UK, Europe and US in her 20-year career; Sound Design by Olivier-award winner Tony Gayle (My Neighbour Totoro), Movement Direction by Jade Hackett.

Black Power Desk is at Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 October in the Patrick Studio. Tickets can be booked at birminghamhippodrome.com