Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

New Crowd-Funded Show About 90s Rave Culture Comes to Leeds Playhouse

Performances run 3-4 March.

New Crowd-Funded Show About 90s Rave Culture Comes to Leeds Playhouse

Lovers of classic house, rave culture and acid house have joined forces to fund the development of Better Days, a new one-man show at Leeds Playhouse on 3-4 March as part of a UK tour.

Leeds-based playwright and screenwriter Ben Tagoe has written for some of TV and film's biggest names, including Idris Elba, James Nesbitt and Dougray Scott. With Better Days, he's returning to his roots with a show that combines two of his biggest passions - house music and theatre.

"It isn't entirely biographical, but it is very much drawn from my own personal experience and those of close friends," said the former EastEnders and Coronation Street scriptwriter. "Rave and house music was a massive part of my youth. It's a universal story that anybody who came of age in that era will relate to. It was a magical time and there are so many amazing memories.

"Better Days is an intimate standing show. I felt it would be best to get the crowd as close as possible to the performer to recreate the feeling of being in a club, but with the storytelling integrated. It will be like listening to an old mixtape from the early 90s, with a very personal story mixed in. The show seemed to capture people's imagination from day one and the support we attracted via Crowdfunder was incredible."

The show, presented by Studio 57 Productions, features some of the best rave and clubbing tunes from the early 90s, including tracks by N-Joi, Frankie Knuckles, Gat Décor, 808 State and the legendary title track "Better Days" by Jimi Polo. It tells the story of Danny, a 19-year-old in 1990, who finds himself at a crossroads between two tribes - the burgeoning house music scene and the football hooligans he feels bound to by fierce loyalty.

As well as music, this dynamic, vibrant 70-minute live performance also includes poetic storytelling that takes audiences on an exciting trip down memory lane.

Danny is played by 23-year-old East Yorkshire actor George Martin: "I've always been a fan of 90s house music. Having heard the stories of the legendary clubs that existed across the UK, I feel like I missed out on something. Being part of Better Days is not only fulfilling as an actor, it has also given me an opportunity to experience what it was like."

As well as Leeds Playhouse, the tour is also heading to Farsley, Manchester, Hull, Huddersfield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee.



Photos: First Look at THE PETER RABBIT EASTER ADVENTURE in Covent Garden Photo
See production images for The Peter Rabbit™ Easter Adventure which is now open in the heart of London’s iconic Covent Garden Piazza and runs until 16 April!

Photos: First Look at THEY DONT PAY? WE WONT PAY! at Mercury Theatre Photo
All new production photos have been released for Mercury Theatre's production of They Don't Pay? We Won't Pay! by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. Check out the photos below!

Equity Launches Campaign to Save North Shields Exchange Theatre Photo
​​​​​​​Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, has called on the leader of North Tyneside Council, Mayor Norma Redfearn DBE, to intervene in the pending eviction of The ExchangeTheatre charity from its home of seven years.

Exhibition Opens At Bristol Old Vic For Major Schools Project On The Statue Debate Photo
Since Dec 2022, Bristol Old Vic's Heritage department has been working with secondary schools to deliver a new workshop exploring the issues that have divided the country, connected to our monuments and how we come to terms with our colonial history.


More Hot Stories For You


Photos: First Look at THE PETER RABBIT EASTER ADVENTURE in Covent GardenPhotos: First Look at THE PETER RABBIT EASTER ADVENTURE in Covent Garden
March 24, 2023

See production images for The Peter Rabbit™ Easter Adventure which is now open in the heart of London’s iconic Covent Garden Piazza and runs until 16 April!

Equity Launches Campaign to Save North Shields' Exchange TheatreEquity Launches Campaign to Save North Shields' Exchange Theatre
March 24, 2023

​​​​​​​Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, has called on the leader of North Tyneside Council, Mayor Norma Redfearn DBE, to intervene in the pending eviction of The ExchangeTheatre charity from its home of seven years.

Exhibition Opens At Bristol Old Vic For Major Schools Project On The 'Statue Debate'Exhibition Opens At Bristol Old Vic For Major Schools Project On The 'Statue Debate'
March 24, 2023

Since Dec 2022, Bristol Old Vic's Heritage department has been working with secondary schools to deliver a new workshop exploring the issues that have divided the country, connected to our monuments and how we come to terms with our colonial history.

Arena Theatre Confirms Status As National Portfolio OrganisationArena Theatre Confirms Status As National Portfolio Organisation
March 24, 2023

The University of Wolverhampton's Arena Theatre has secured a further four years' funding worth almost £450,000 from Arts Council England, maintaining its status as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) - a position it has held since 1999.

An-Ting Chang To Step Down As Artistic Director/CEO of Kakilang FestivalAn-Ting Chang To Step Down As Artistic Director/CEO of Kakilang Festival
March 23, 2023

An-Ting Chang is to step down as artistic director/CEO of Kakilang following the conclusion of the current Kakilang Festival, running at present in various venues across London till April 22nd, which she has curated along with her team of associates Si Rawlinson, Ling Tan and Daniel York Loh.