‘Mr Parks, this isn’t just a movie, it’s a whole movement. Whether you like it or not is irrelevant.’

The Golden Age of Hollywood. Behind closed doors, aspiring actor Sidney Poitier is offered a lucrative contract that could make him a superstar. But what is he willing to sacrifice?

From the writer of award-winning, sold-out, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, Ryan Calais Cameron’s explosive new play explores identity, resilience, and integrity as it examines a true event in 1950’s Hollywood and the reality of a Black actor’s journey to stardom.

Directed by Kiln Associate Director Amit Sharma (The Boy with Two Hearts), this world premiere explores a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon.

Retrograde asks the question; how much have we really evolved?

“What drew me to writing a play about the Hollywood Blacklist is the intricacies around the idea of what it means to be Blacklisted and also Black. Retrograde tells the unheard story how Sidney Poitier, the cultural icon that we know and love, came to be and the huge decision he had to make,” said Calais Cameron.

Ivanno Jeremiah will play Sidney, with Ian Bonar as Bobby and Daniel Lapaine as Mr Parks. Amit Sharma directs Retrograde, with design by Frankie Bradshaw, lighting design by Amy Mae, and sound design by Beth Duke.

Alongside the world première of Retrograde, a duo of Sidney Poitier’s films will be screened at Kiln Cinema to accompany the production on stage. Ryan Calais Cameron’s new play, set in 1950s Hollywood, is based on a true event in the life of legendary actor. Each screening will be accompanied by a pre-screening Q&A with Kiln Associate Director and director of Retrograde, Amit Sharma.

Discount available for Retrograde ticket holders. Simply log in to your account and the £2 discount per ticket will be applied.

Booking for Retrograde at the same time as booking your screening ticket? Use promocode POITIER2 to save £2 off each screening ticket.

Post show Q&A: Tuesday 2nd May, 7.30pm

Book your tickets here