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Following its sold out run at the Kiln Theatre, Ryan Calais Cameron‘s ’electrifying‘ (Evening Standard) RETROGRADE comes to the Apollo Theatrefor a strictly limited run.
Inspired by real events, this ‘exceptional‘ (The Guardian) play directed by the Kiln Theatre’s Artistic Director Amit Sharma, features Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations) reprising his ‘tremendous‘ (Time Out) performance as Sidney Poitier, opposite Stanley Townsend (Netflix’s Kaos) and Oliver Johnstone (Antigone).
RETROGRADE follows Ryan‘s smash hit ‘modern masterpiece‘ (The Sunday Times) For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy – so good it sold out twice – cementing his place as ‘one of theatre’s most thrilling voices‘ (Independent).
Book your RETROGRADE theatre tickets with LOVEtheatre today!
What is Retrograde about?
Ten years before he becomes the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor, this gripping drama captures the moment a young Sidney Poitier prepares to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. But there’s a catch. Will he put his career before his principles? In a time of betrayals, will he name names? Will he sign his life away?
Ticket Information
Tickets available for performances from 8 Mar – 14 Jun 2025
Running Time
90mins, no interval.
Cast & Creatives
Ryan Calais Cameron (Writer), Amit Sharma (Director)
Ivanno Jeremiah (Sidney Poitier), Stanley Townsend, Oliver Johnstone
One of Shaftesbury Avenue’s famous theatres, the Apollo Theatre first opened its doors in 1901. The theatre was built specifically for musical theatre and named after the Greek God of the Arts.
FAQs
Where is Retrograde playing?
Retrograde is playing at the Apollo Theatre
How long is Retrograde?
The Retrograde running time is 90mins, no interval.
What is the age guidance for Retrograde?
The Retrograde age guidance is 14+
Who wrote Retrograde?
Retrograde is written by Ryan Calais Cameron and directed by Amit Sharma
Groups & Schools
Groups of 10+: Price bands A & B reduced to £35
Valid Sunday-Friday evenings and Wednesday & Sunday matinees
School groups of 10+: Price bands B & C reduced to £20
Valid Monday-Thursday evenings and Wednesday matinees
EXCLUSIONS APPLY Rates subject to change and availability
Cambridge Circus, Newport Place, Wardour Street and Denman Street
Reviews
The Telegraph
'‘A deserved West End triumph for one of Britain’s greatest playwrights’'
WhatsOnStage
'‘an electrifying, razor-sharp piece.’'
Time Out
'‘An instant classic’'
The Standard
'‘A wickedly funny 90 minutes’'
The Times
'‘Gripping, inspiring and funny’'
Ian McKellen
'‘The three actors are magnificent, and I couldn’t recommend it strongly enough’ ‘Very moving and brilliantly acted. Go and see it’'
Keale Settle
''Blown away by the cast & crew of this powerful spectacular production, paying homage to the greatest of all time #sidneypoitier. It physically shook me...''
Dominic Cavendish
'‘Thoroughly merited arrival of Retrograde on Shaftesbury Ave. A must-see even stronger this time round’'
Munya Chawawa
'‘Acting masterclass first off. All 3 carried. Scripting was knife-edge! Had the audience ad-libbing out of sheer passion. I do love the bells and whistles of big productions – but this was fantastic without all of that!''
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