Coming To England THU 31 MAR - SAT 16 APR 22
What You Need To Know Coming To England is a musical journey for families based on the inspiring true story of Floella Benjamin and her and her family's journey from Trinidad to England. It is based on the book by Floella Benjamin, and adapted by David Wood. It is directed by Omar F Okai. Learn more about the cast and creative team here. The running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, with a 20 minute interval. All performances will be captioned, and the captioning boxes are located on both the right and left sides of the stage.
OUR SPACE
Our new front door is located on centenary Square, shown here.
Our Box Office (left) and Foyer (right) are shown here.
A breakout room is available upstairs, on our mezzanine level, shown here, with sensory lights and toys.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
Everybody welcomes the audience with a song, High Five Hello!
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
As a grown-up, Floella Benjamin receives the Freedom of The City of London, and reminisces about what it was like when she first came to England.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
Floella thinks about growing up in Trinidad, and introduces her family - her siblings, Sandra, Lester, Roy, Cynthia and Ellington, and her mum and dad, Marmie and Dardie.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
At school, Floella is late and is hit on the hand with a belt. She learns all about British history and British literature.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
Dardie reads an advert in the paper about jobs and opportunities in the UK. He wants to go to England and play Jazz music, and soon sets sail, promising to send for Marmie and the children later.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
Floella and her family celebrate Carnival.
VISUAL STORY ACT 1
Marmie, Cynthia and Roy join Dardie in England, and Floella, Sandra, Lester and Ellington have to live with foster parents, where they are forced to work and are very unhappy. But after 15 months, Marmie sends a letter - they are going to England.
INTERVAL
There will now be a 20 minute interval. You can leave your seats to use the bathroom, get some refreshments or use our breakout room. You can also stay in your seats if you would prefer.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
A grown-up Floella welcomes the audience, and let's us know what she's been up to over the years, and there's a chance for the audience to join in by clapping, stamping and singing along!
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
Floella takes us back to the journey from Trinidad to England, and after two weeks, they are reunited with Marmie in Southampton.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
Marmie, Floella and her siblings take the train and see London and their new home, but Floella feels dissapointed and out of place, and children at school are unkind.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
It's not all bad though - Floella tells stories of happy times in England with her family, and new friends at school.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
The family buy a house in Beckenham, despite the racist reactions of their new neighbours.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
With her mother's voice in her head, Floella remembers the only time she fought racism with her fists, and when she started fighting with her brain.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
Floella accepts the freedom of the City of London, and sings one final song.
Thank you! We hope to see you again soon.