A riot of sound, story, and spirit
Actor and musician Max Runham has been cast in Kick It Anywhere’s upcoming production of Brixton Calling, the world premiere of a new play with a live soundtrack of reggae, punk, rock and rave, alongside actor and musician Tendai Humphrey Sitima.
Brixton Calling is inspired by Simon Parkes’ bestselling memoir Live at the Brixton Academy, the remarkable true and deeply personal story about a 23-year-old outsider who bought the derelict cinema for £1 in 1983, called it The Academy and transformed it into the world-famous music venue that changed everything.
Simon Parkes was born with one arm, a Thalidomide baby, and his disability has never stopped him from achieving whatever he wanted to do. He says,“The ‘80s and ‘90s was such a great era of music. London was changing, Brixton was a political hot potato and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and didn’t take no for an answer. The Academy turned into a theatre of dreams hosting the biggest names in music and politics.
“Reliving those times through this play will be an emotional thrill ride. I hope this story will inspire people to think anything is possible, all you need is self-belief, an absolute passion and a little bit of luck on your side.”
Set during a time of complex social and political change, this nostalgic love letter to a place and sound that defined an era is brought to life by writer Alex Urwin, just fifteen minutes from where it all happened.
Runham, who also plays the guitar in this drama, comments: “My relationship to music made the draw of this play and the story behind such an iconic venue so much more powerful. I was born with one arm, which has made my approach to music unique and made the connection to Simon’s story deeper for me on a personal level.”
Writer Alex Urwin adds, “Brixton Calling is a joyous time capsule for music fans and just as importantly, an entry point into the big questions of how all of music, politics, South London and Britain changed through the ‘80s and ‘90s – for better and for worse – and the legacies of that change we’re still working through today. We can’t wait to transport audiences back in time to experience the legendary moments that became part of this country’s music history.”
Director Bronagh Lagan comments: “Brixton Calling isn’t just a play — it’s a riot of sound, story, and spirit. Set against the fire of ’80s Brixton —a place where pain met power, and out of the cracks, something electric grew. A time of unrest, resistance, and radical creativity — this show hits hard, plays loud and grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go.”
Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Performance Dates: 23 July – 16 August 2025
Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Tuesday & Saturday 3pm
Ticket Prices: £22 Standard and £18 Concessions Mon to Wed / £26 Standard and £21 Concessions Thursday to Saturday. £10 Pioneers’ Preview (23 July sold out) £16 Previews (24 July)
Booking Link: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/brixton-calling
