Who Played Duke in Play On!

Duke is a role in Play On!, a musical that opened West End in 2025.

A new Jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” What does it take for a woman to make it in a man’s world? Meet Vy, a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the 1940’s Harlem scene. She quickly learns from her uncle Jester that women will never be taken seriously in a man’s world. But, like many a strong hero, she refuses to accept defeat. Through her gender fluid cunning, she meets club owner The Duke and sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv and is swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance. Who will come out on top? Play On! is set in the jazz scene of New York’s Cotton Club. This stylish retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong (A Kind of People, Royal Court; All My Sons, Talawa and Royal Exchange) fuses the thrilling music of Duke Ellington with street dance choreography. Prepare to be wowed by this musical spectacular that will have your toes tapping and hands clapping along with the timeless soundtrack. Accessible Performances: Wednesday 12 February, 2.30pm – Chilled Environment Performance. Thursday 13 February, 7.30pm – Open Captioned Performance. Saturday 15 February, 2.30pm – Audio Described Performance. Monday 17 February, 7.30pm – BSL Interpreted Performance