Retrograde Tickets
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About Retrograde
Don't miss Retrograde, the latest play from Olivier award-nominated playwright Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy) at the Apollo Theatre following its sell-out run at the Kiln Theatre. Book Retrograde tickets on TodayTix.
See the exceptional trio—Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations) as Sidney Poitier, Stanley Townsend (Netflix's Kaos) as Mr. Parks, and Oliver Johnstone (Antigone) as Bobby—reprising their roles from the Kiln Theatre production.
Together, they tell the tale of young Sidney Poitier in 1950s Hollywood 10 years before becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar Award for Best Actor. Based on a true story, Poitier goes to the office of an NBC lawyer to sign a contract for his big break. However, during an era of racist paranoia brought about by the civil rights movement and McCarthyism, he is questioned on his affiliation with Martin Luther King and other political activists. Eventually, he is given a nearly impossible choice. He must sign an oath of loyalty to America and denounce the actor, activist, and singer Paul Robeson, and then he will get the part in the film. However, if he doesn't sign it, he will be blacklisted.
Audio Described:
- Saturday 3rd May, 7.30pm
Filmed Performance:
- Wednesday, 7th May, 2.30pm
- Wednesday, 7th May, 7.30pm
Run time
1hr 30min. No interval.
Venue
Categories
Age
Ages 14+.
Start date
8th March, 2025
End date
14th June, 2025
Stars on stage
Ivanno Jeremiah
Retrograde cast and creative team
By: Ryan Calais Cameron
Director: Amit Sharma
Cast list: Ivanno Jeremiah, Stanley Townsend, Oliver Johnstone
Venue
Directions
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 12, 14, 19, 38; (Regent Street) 6, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Night bus numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 14, N19, N38; (Regent Street) 6, 12, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453, N3, N13, N15, N109, N18, N136
Car park: Brewer Street (2mins)
Directions from tube: The Apollo Theatre is situated on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End of London, close to Piccadilly Circus tube station.
More information about Retrograde
Retrograde in London is a moving drama of integrity, courage, and hope that resonates some 70 years after the events took place. The 4-star London Theatre review said of the production, "That in itself encapsulates Cameron's provocative ideas around the intersection of politics, culture, and race, in a blistering piece that finds plenty of contemporary parallels in a potent historical tale."
Retrograde is a play with an excellent creative team which includes Kiln Theatre's Artistic Director Amit Sharma, designer Frankie Bradshaw (Ballet Shoes), lighting designer Amy Mae (The Frogs), and sound designer Beth Duke (The Importance of Being Earnest).
As the 4-star The Guardian review said, "The direction by Amit Sharma matches the tension in the script and we feel it rise from the minute Poitier enters the room."
What to watch for
- The 5-star review from The Telegraph said, “This account of a pivotal episode in the life of Sidney Poitier is so articulately defiant it bears comparison with The Crucible.”
- “I’m absolutely thrilled to see Retrograde take its next step onto the West End stage. This play holds a deeply personal resonance for me as a writer. Sidney Poitier’s journey — his courage, conviction, and the weight of the choices he faced — is not just his story; it’s a reflection of the challenges and dilemmas many of us still navigate today,” Ryan Calais Cameron said. “I can’t wait for audiences at the Apollo Theatre to join us in this moment of reflection, urgency, and ultimately, celebration.”
- Frankie Bradshaw’s set design of the office includes a starburst clock, the ticking of which helps increase the intensity while Sidney contemplates what to do.
- Coleman Domingo is one of the show's producers. He said, “Sidney Poitier was an icon and his career one that inspired myself and many others. Not only for his tremendous craft as an actor but also as a Civil Rights icon, leading the way towards a more diverse and inclusive industry. Ryan Calais Cameron’s writing is phenomenal, truly thrilling, capturing this pivotal moment in Sidney’s life and his integrity, humanity, and unyielding principles.”
Frequently asked questions
What is Retrograde about?
Don’t miss Retrograde, the latest play from Olivier award-nominated playwright Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy) at the Apollo Theatre following its sell-out run at the Kiln Theatre. This play, set in 1950s Hollywood, is based on the true story of Sidney Poitier, who is preparing to sign a contract for his big break—but there’s a catch, and he has to decide if it’s worth putting his career before his principles.
How do you get tickets for Retrograde?
Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on Retrograde tickets on TodayTix.
How much are tickets for Retrograde?
Retrograde tickets start at £23.
Which theatre is Retrograde at?
Retrograde is at London's Apollo Theatre, which is located at 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ.
What is the age recommendation for Retrograde?
Ages 14+.
What is the running time of Retrograde?
Retrograde runs for 1hr 30min. No interval.
Who wrote Retrograde?
Ryan Calais Cameron wrote the play.
Who directed Retrograde?
Amit Sharma stages the show.
Is Retrograde appropriate for kids?
This play is best for children ages 14 and above as it includes racist slurs and other strong language, as well as themes of racism and McCarthyism.
Is Retrograde good?
This is an impactful play of courage in the face of immense struggle. As The Guardian's review said, "While this production dramatises a specific moment in Hollywood history for a pioneering Black actor, the dilemmas it flags up around what actors of colour are forced to exchange for entering the mainstream still echo today."
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