China Plate and Birmingham Hippodrome have announced both the principal cast and the West Midlands based associate creative team for their new concert musical To The Streets!

To The Streets! is an uplifting new musical by Roy Williams and Tim Sutton, based on an original idea by Christopher Haydon, inspired by the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the UK’s civil rights history.

These special concert performances will take place between 19 – 28 August  at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, Windmill Hill, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, and West Park, Wolverhampton, as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

It’s 1963 and the Swinging Sixties have arrived: The Beatles release their debut album, the mini skirt is born and the Civil Rights movement is gaining ground in America. Back in the UK, the country is emerging from the Big Freeze. As temperatures thaw, tensions are running high in Bristol where the Omnibus Company refuses to employ Black or Asian drivers or conductors. Paul Stephenson, an idealistic youth worker, takes to the streets to stand up for equality.

Lorraine, a teenager, newly arrived from Jamaica, joins the fight and, in so doing, finds her voice and becomes part of a movement that changes history. With an explosive, feel-good score bursting with ska, calypso and rock ‘n’ roll… this is a story of standing up for what you believe in, allyship, and – ultimately – finding joy.

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – UK tour, Legally Blonde – Regent’s Park) will play ‘Paul’, Jonathan Andre (The Lion King– West End, The Wiz – Hope Mill Theatre) will play ‘Roy’, McCallam Connell (The Playboy of the West Indies – Birmingham Rep, Small Island – National Theatre) will play ‘Des’, Paul Kemble (School of Rock – UK tour, Made in Dagenham – West End) will play ‘Bert’, Duane Lamonte (Motown the Musical – West End, The Lion King – West End) will play ‘Guy’, Jessie May (Mamma Mia! – West End and international tour, Mame – Hope Mill Theatre) will play ‘Secretary’, Denise Pitter (Guys and Dolls – West End, To Kill a Mockingbird – Mercury Theatre, Colchester) will play ‘Pearl’, Charlotte St Croix (Hairspray – UK tour, Decade – National Theatre) will play ‘Lorraine’, and Andy Watkins (Kinky Boots – UK tour, Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Curve, UK tour and West End) will play ‘Harry’.

The principal cast will also perform alongside a local community ensemble of singers and dancers, representative of the city and region’s diversity, who are currently being cast via an open audition process, with further details to be announced.

Ahead of the concert performances, which will be family friendly and accessible to all, audience members will be invited to enjoy some food, drink, DJ sets, plus music and entertainment from local arts organisations.

Tickets for To The Streets! are on sale now. To book tickets for Birmingham and Wolverhampton, visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com To book tickets for Coventry, visit www.warwickartscentre.co.uk