Retrograde Tickets

To Sidney With Love: Book Tickets for Retrograde Now!

Following a critically acclaimed season at the Kiln Theatre, Retrograde transfers to the West End’s Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited run. This “sabre-sharp” (The Guardian) new play from Oliver-nominated writer Ryan Calais Cameron tells the real-life story of a key moment in groundbreaking Black actor Sidney Poitier’s career, amid the rising tide of McCarthyism. Don’t miss this “perfectly pitched” (Time Out) work from one of the freshest upcoming voices in British theatre.

What is the play Retrograde about?

“This isn’t just a movie, it’s a whole movement. Whether you like it or not is irrelevant.”

It’s 1950s Hollywood, and anti-communist paranoia rages through the nation. Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier is on the cusp of stardom, as he prepares to sign what could be a career-defining contract. But in such fraught political times, betrayals are rife - will Poitier be forced to scapegoat outspoken Black activist Paul Robeson and compromise his principles in the name of fame? Set over one day, this powerful three-hander “captures a toxic moment in American history” (The Guardian) and sheds light on the realities of the industry that Black actors still face today.

Inspired by true events, Retrograde depicts Poitier as a young man - ten years before his history-making Oscar win as the first Black actor to take the Academy Award for Best Actor - and examines the compromises and decisions he faced in his pioneering career.

Who are the cast and creatives of Retrograde?

Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations, Humans, Black Mirror) reprises his role as Sidney Poitier - a portrayal The Standard called “a performance of great strength and delicacy” - and is joined in the West End by Stanley Townsend (Netflix’s Kaos, The Plough and the Stars) as Mr Parks and Oliver Johnstone (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Antigone) as Bobby.

Ryan Calais Cameron cements himself as one of the most exciting new playwrights working today, following the critical success of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy - a fringe hit which transferred to the West End, where it had two sell-out runs and earned an Olivier nomination. Cameron’s other credits include Timbuktu, Queens of Sheba, Boarders for BBC3 and Channel 4's adaptation of Queenie.

Retrograde is directed by Kiln Associate Director Amit Sharma, who directed the debut at the Kiln. Previous credits include The Solid Life of Sugar Water, The Boy With Two Hearts and Aruna and The Raging Sun; Sharma is also a BAFTA-nominated TV director.

Book Tickets for Retrograde at the Apollo Theatre Now!

Don’t miss out on this electrifying production about an icon, activist and trailblazer. Retrograde has a strictly limited run at the Apollo Theatre, so make sure to catch this brand new play from “one of theatre’s most thrilling voices” (Independent) and book now!