Coming To England
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An inspirational story of hope, determination and triumph brought to life in this moving musical journey.
We’ve got a story
To tell to you
Of one little girl
And her journey
Across the world –
A story that’s true!
Bursting onto the stage with music, storytelling and humour, Floella Benjamin’s award-winning and iconic book Coming to England comes to life in this world premiere stage adaptation.
Much loved by children and families, Coming to England tells Floella’s own story of emigrating to England as a child. Aged just 10, she and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents. But Floella’s excitement for her new life in England is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s’ London. Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.
Adapted for the stage by David Wood (“the national children’s dramatist” – The Times) this vibrant and energetic musical is the perfect entertainment for the whole family.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the musical production of my book Coming to England which has been adapted by the fantastic award winning playwright David Wood, will have its world premiere at The Rep early next year. I cannot wait to see the story about my experiences arriving in the UK come to life on the stage in front of audiences of all ages. What a wonderful way for a new generation of people to get to know this Windrush story.” Floella Benjamin
Presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival.
Price
From £10
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 20 minute interval
Presented by
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Floella Benjamin, Keith Taylor and Nicoll Entertainment.
Schools Performances
Please note that school bookings must be made directly via the Box Office, either by phone or email
Resource Pack
Download our Creative Learning Resource Pack for Schools here
Family discount
Families of 2 to 7 save 15%
(Family groups must contain at least one under 14)
Access
Download our Access Pack here.
All performances of Coming to England except the performances on Thu 31 Mar and Fri 1 Apr are fully captioned.
BSL Interpreted Performance: Thu 07 Apr, 10.30am & 7pm
Audio Described Performance: Thu 14 Apr, 7pm
Relaxed Performance: Sat 16 Apr, 2pm
Fees and Charges
Please note there is a transaction fee of £2.50 on all payment types. Please click here for more information.
Content guidance
Please note that this performance contains the theme of racism and descriptions of racially motivated attacks. Further information and support can be found below:
Mind – Useful contacts for racism and mental health
Audiences are loving the show
The perfect show for all the family, a bright, uplifting and honest musical journey.”
★★★★★ Musical Theatre Review
Coming to England takes us on a journey, a journey that is ultimately uplifting allowing spirits to soar on the wings of joyful music.”
★★★★★ The Reviews Hub
The show blends laughter, music and song with serious messages.”
★★★★ Whats On Stage
I implore anybody to go and watch this show, not only because it is documenting an important part of history, but it evokes a plethora of emotions.”
★★★★★ NorthWestEnd
The world premiere of Coming To England was a poignant, emotive and immersive experience that should be shouted about from the roof tops – and shared with audiences around the world.”
★★★★★ Black Country Radio
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Cast
Paula Kay
Paula Kay is in a performer. She is in the cast of Coming To England.
Tarik Frimpong
Tarik Frimpong is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative. He is in the cast of Coming To England. (He/him)
Dale Mathurin
Dale Mathurin is a performer. He is in the cast of Coming To England.
Connor Ewing
Connor Ewing is performer in Coming To England.
Caitlin Drake
Caitlin Drake is a performer in the cast of Coming To England. (She/her)
Yazmin Belo
Yazmin Belo is a performer in the cast of Coming To England. (She/her)
Nesah Gonzales
Nesha Gonzales is a performer. She is in the cast of Coming To England.
Bree Smith
Bree Smith is a performer in Coming To England. (She/her)
Jay Marsh
Jay Marsh is a performer. He in the cast of Coming To England.
Kojo Kamara
Kojo Kamara is an actor, writer and Saxophonist. He is in the cast of Coming To England.
Creative Team
Associate Producer and author of 'Coming To England'
Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin DBE DL left school at 16 with the aim of becoming Britain’s first ever black woman bank manager but changed direction and became an actress, presenter, writer, award winning independent producer, politician and an active advocate for the wellbeing, care and education of children throughout the world. This year she celebrates 50 years in show business and has appeared on stage, film and television, working with some of Britain’s top drama directors. She is best known for her roles in the iconic children’s programmes Playschool and Playaway.
Adaptor
David Wood
David Wood
Director and Choreographer
Omar Okai
Omar Okai
Set and Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Sound Designer
Roly Botha
Roly Botha
Roly Botha is Sound Designer for Coming To England. (They/them)
Musical Supervisor and Additional Arrangements
Ian Oakley
Ian Oakley
Ian Oakley (he/him) is the Musical Director for The Playboy Of The West Indies.
Casting Director
Annelie Powell
Annelie Powell
Musical Director and Additional Arrangements
Dr. Matthew Malone
Dr. Matthew Malone
Dr Matthew Malone is Musical Director and provided additional arrangements for Coming To England (He/Him).
Costume Supervisor
Associate Director
Nathan Powell
Nathan Powell
Nathan Powell is Associate Director of Coming To England. (He/him)
Associate Choreographer
Sadie-Jean Shirley
Sadie-Jean Shirley
Sadie-Jean Shirley is Associate Choreographer for Coming To England (She/her).
Assistant Set Designer
Christianna Mason
Christianna Mason
Christianna Mason is Assistant Set Designer for Coming To England (She/her).
Assistant Lighting Designer
Kieron Johnson
Kieron Johnson
Kieron Johnson is Assistant Lighting Designer for Coming To England (They/them).
Assistant Musical Supervisor and Arranger
Sam Young
Sam Young
Perhaps best known for his bold arrangements, Sam is a sought-after music director, arranger, orchestrator and pianist who was accepted onto the music courses at the University of Cambridge, Berklee College of Music and Royal Academy of Music, before graduating from the latter with distinction.
Very active both in theatre and on the concert scene, Sam regularly works with leading artists (including Ramin Karimloo, Hadley Fraser, Rob Houchen and Alice Fearn) and, this autumn, will be serving as arranger and orchestrator for Stephen Schwartz’s 75th birthday concert at the Lyric Theatre.
His work in theatre includes…
As Orchestrator: Mandela (Young Vic)
As Musical Director/Arranger: RIDE (Southwark Playhouse, Leicester Curve, Charing Cross Theatre), Lift (Southwark Playhouse), The Man in the Ceiling (Turbine Theatre)
As Associate Musical Director: Sinatra (Birmingham Rep), Mandela (Young Vic), White Christmas (UK Tour)
Additional Arrangements
Ryan Walker
Ryan Walker
Ryan Walker is providing additional arrangements for Coming To England.
Assistant Casting Director
Sarah Harkins
Sarah Harkins
Sarah Harkins is casting assistant for Coming To England.
Creative Consultant
Tyrone Huggins
Tyrone Huggins
Tyrone Huggins is Creative Consultant for Coming To England.
Wellbeing Practitioner
Nigel Baily
Nigel Baily
Nigel Baily is Wellbeing Practitioner for Coming To England.
Associate Producer
Keith Taylor
Keith Taylor
Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin DBE DL left school at 16 with the aim of becoming Britain’s first ever black woman bank manager but changed direction and became an actress, presenter, writer, award winning independent producer, politician and an active advocate for the wellbeing, care and education of children throughout the world. This year she celebrates 50 years in show business and has appeared on stage, film and television, working with some of Britain’s top drama directors. She is best known for her roles in the iconic children’s programmes Playschool and Playaway.
Omar Okai, director, Floella Benjamin, writer, of Coming To England at The Birmingham Rep with Artistic Director Sean Foley. Photo credit, Geraint Lewis.
Floella Benjamin, writer, of Coming To England at The Birmingham Rep with Artistic Director Sean Foley. Photo credit, Geraint Lewis.
Floella Benjamin, writer, of Coming To England at The Birmingham Rep with Artistic Director Sean Foley. Photo credit, Geraint Lewis.
Omar Okai, director, Floella Benjamin, writer, of Coming To England at The Birmingham Rep CREDIT Geraint Lewis
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