Billy's theatre debut in Pressure Drop
Published: 17/03/2010
Billy's theatre debut in Pressure Drop 17/03/10
Billy and his band will appear at the Wellcome Collection from 19 April to 12 May 2010* in Pressure Drop, a 'part play, part gig, part installation'.
The performance will feature original music and songs by Billy.
Pressure Drop is Billy's theatrical debut and the museum's first major theatrical production.
It was written by author and director Mick Gordon and is directed by Christopher Haydon.
Mick approached Billy after reading his book The Progressive Patriot and becoming fascinated by Billy's exploration of what it means to be English.
The play tells the story of three generations of a white working-class family living on the edge of London, charting their attempts to define their individual and family identities in the context of a rapidly evolving social landscape.
Joining Billy and his band on stage will be actors June Watson, Michael Gould, Justin Salinger, Pip Donaghy, David Kennedy, Susan Vidler and Shea Davis.
Pressure Drop is presented by Gordon's company, On Theatre, and forms part of the Wellcome Trust's Identity Project, a nine-month season of activities focused on the topic of human identity which includes performances, films, artworks, exhibitions and discussion events taking place across the UK.
Billy said: "I've never done anything like this before; mixing songs with theatre is a totally new experience for me. Given that music makes a significant contribution to many people's sense of who they are, I am very excited to be working with On Theatre and Wellcome Collection as part of the Identity Project."
Clare Matterson, director of medicine, society and history at the Wellcome Trust, said: "Mick Gordon and Billy Bragg raise topical questions about human identity in contemporary Britain. Pressure Drop is a thought-provoking production."
Although not explicitly political in its intentions, Pressure Drop adds another voice to the current theatrical debate on white working-class identity and the rise of nationalism.
Box office tel: 0844 412 4318
*Excluding 22 and 25 April and 2 and 9 May.
Buy tickets - Pressure Drop information
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