The award-winning Brixton Calling is set to return to the London stage, transferring to the Large auditorium at Southwark Playhouse Borough for a seven-week run from 22 January to 13 March 2027.
Written by Alex Urwin and directed by Bronagh Lagan, the production returns following a sold-out debut in 2025 that went on to become the most awarded production at the 2026 Off West End Awards, winning Best Overall Production, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound and Music Design.
Inspired by Simon Parkes’ bestselling memoir Live at the Brixton Academy, Brixton Calling tells the remarkable true story of how a 23-year-old outsider bought a derelict Brixton cinema for £1 in 1983 and transformed it into the world-famous Brixton Academy, one of the UK’s most iconic music venues.
Bronagh Lagan returns to direct the new production, which promises to be “bigger, bolder, and significantly louder” than its original incarnation. The creative team has also been strengthened by the addition of West End musical supervisor Sean Green, whose credits include MJ the Musical, Sylvia and Get Up Stand Up!.
Off West End Award winners Max Runham and Tendai Humphrey Sitima will reprise their acclaimed performances, bringing Simon Parkes and Johnny Lawes back to life through a combination of fast-paced storytelling and live music. They will be joined by musician Nadine Lee, whose stage and music industry credits include collaborations with Self Esteem, Lizzo and Stormzy.
Parkes said: “Seeing my life and the wild history of the Brixton Academy explode onto the stage during the 2025 run was incredibly surreal. As someone who also navigates the world with one arm, seeing Max bring that same physical reality to the stage adds an undeniable level of authenticity. He creates an instant, powerful connection to the story. Both Max and Tendai are spectacular and I can’t wait to see this larger, louder version blow audiences away.”
The production is produced by Kick It Anywhere alongside Aria Entertainment’s Katy Lipson and Guy James Theatrical. It will once again collaborate with grassroots community organisations across South London, including Raw Material Music and The Soulstice Collective, helping to shine a light on emerging creative talent.
Katy Lipson said: “I was completely struck by the raw, kinetic energy of the original run produced by Alex and Kick It Anywhere. This new production offers the perfect opportunity to bring the show to a grander canvas. By upscaling Brixton Calling to Southwark’s The Large auditorium, we are giving this incredible team the space to amplify everything that made it a hit. It’s exactly the kind of bold, high-octane theatre we pride ourselves on championing.”
Driven by a live soundtrack featuring music associated with the venue’s history, including songs by The Clash, Blondie, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Fela Kuti, Billy Ocean and The Prodigy, Brixton Calling celebrates the venue’s enduring cultural legacy and the people who helped shape it.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
