Up Against The Wall
By Felix Cross
Year staged: 1999
Opening night: 24/03/1999
Theatre Company: Black Theatre Co-operative; 1979
Staged in: The Tricycle Theatre, latterly The Kiln Theatre
Cast Size: 7
Synopsis
Henry’s got an idea. A great idea. An idea that’s gonna make him millions. He’s gonna write a musical. A black musical. A big black musical – like you’ve never seen before. It’s gonna be afros, flares, medallions…take it to the bridge and let it all hang out. The brilliant thing about Henry’s idea is that it’s all so simple… A few songs from the ’70s – Shaft, Superfly, Move On Up, some funky moves, some serious vibe and hey presto – you got a hit… Now all they need is a cast. This could be bigger than Shaft, better than Grease, badder than Mohammed Ali. It’ll be the greatest musical ever.
Original Cast
Noel McKoy
Henry
Mark McLean
Vincent
Clinton Blake
Courtney
Clement Ishmael
Ritchie
Adrian Reid
Ritchie
Lorna Brown
Shelley
Suzanne Packer
Grace
Production Team
Allen Ali
Designer
Marise Rose
Designer
Bryan Bowen
Costumes
Joe Lewis
Lighting
Dollie Henry
Choreographer
Aidrian Reid
Musical Director
Debbie Green
Assistant Director
Paulette Randall
Playwright / Director
Additional Materials
Unpublished playscript
Ref: BBPA/4/6
National Theatre
Production Management File
Ref: THM/317/3/1/185
V&A Theatre and Performance Collection
Fundraising file
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/1/002
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Education and Outreach file (1)
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/1/003
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Education and Outreach file (2)
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/1/004
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Leaflets
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/2/001
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Programmes
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/2/002
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Poster (A3)
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/2/003
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Postcards
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/2/004
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Playscript
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/3
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Video Recording
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/5
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Musical Score
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/6/001
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Press Reviews
Ref: NTC/P/T/3/012
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive
Production File
Ref: NTC/P/T/1/34/1/001
Future Histories - Black Performance and Carnival Archive