The Big House has announced a national tour for Blaze FM, a politically charged gig theatre production that explores freedom of speech, community and the policing of Black culture through the story of a Hackney pirate radio station.
Written by playwright James Meteyard and Grime MC Jammz, and directed by The Big House artistic director Maggie Norris, the production will tour to Lowry Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Belgrade Theatre from 17 September to 8 October 2026.
Set in a rundown Hackney council flat, Blaze FM follows a pirate radio crew fighting to keep their station alive under the guidance of father figure Hughbert. Blending Grime, Garage and Drill music, the production examines how music creates communities and platforms for people whose voices are often unheard.
Against the backdrop of events including the 7/7 attacks, the Windrush scandal and the censorship of Drill music, the show asks challenging questions about freedom of expression, focusing not only on what can be said, but who is allowed to say it.
Produced by The Big House, the London-based arts charity and production company working with care-experienced young people, the production combines live music, political storytelling and social commentary.
Following a successful run at the Pleasance during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025, where Maggie Norris won Theatre Weekly’s Best Director Award, Blaze FM now embarks on The Big House’s first regional tour.
Jammz said, “Grime culture is very much about doing it yourself, building community and being the voice for the community which you build and the community that you represent. On a microcosm, Blaze FM about a family/community that run a pirate radio station and how that’s eventually pulled apart by society and different socioeconomic pressures. On the macrocosm, it’s about society as a whole, about freedom of speech, who is allowed to say what and how that gets policed depending on who says it.”
Jammz is one of the UK’s leading Grime artists and founder of the record label I Am Grime. His theatre credits include Poet In Da Corner at the Royal Court.
Meteyard’s previous work includes Electrolyte, winner of the Mental Health Fringe Award, and Redemption, which he wrote for The Big House in 2022.
The cast for the tour features Aliaano El Ali, Andrew Brown, Anais Lone, Marcus Omoro and Leo Patrick.
The creative team includes musical supervisor and musical director Shemzy, sound designer Tony Gayle, lighting designer Alex Forey, video designer Mic Pool, costume designer Lambdog, set designer Tina Torbey, additional sounds by Jack Baxter, production manager William Deady and producer Emily Obasohan.
Running for 80 minutes without an interval, Blaze FM is recommended for audiences aged 16+ and contains strong language, references to drugs and violence, loud sounds, haze and flashing lights.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
