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.



Pascal Theatre Company Announces Revival Tour Of Julia Pascals A MANCHESTER GIRLHOOD Photo
​​​​​​​Pascal Theatre Company has announced the revival of Julia Pascal's play A Manchester Girlhood, based on the lives of three Manchester Jewish women and their Romanian immigrant parents. The show opens at Blackpool Old Electric Theatre on 20 April, Manchester Jewish Museum on 23 April, followed by London dates at Burgh House on 17 May and a run at JW3 from 21 – 23 May 2023. 

New Vic Theatre and Circus Company Upswing Will Produce Annual Programme Of Work Fusing Co Photo
The New Vic and award-winning circus company Upswing will begin an annual programme of work fusing contemporary circus with theatre this year, as they develop their longstanding relationship aiming to push the boundaries of the combined artform.

THE POLAR BEAR (IS DEAD) Comes To Leeds Playhouse Photo
The result is The Polar Bear (is Dead), a playful exploration of loss and survival in our current precarious landscape, opening in the Bramall Rock Void studio space at Leeds Playhouse on 14-15 April. Ultimately full of hope, it includes a plant, a polar bear, the Spice Girls and a conversation with Natalie's mum about the end of the world.  

 Marchmont House Unveils 2023 Plans Photo
Coinciding with the launch of their new website, Marchmont House have unveiled the first events as part of their 2023 season.  The range of events on offer are designed to bring people together to celebrate creativity – this ethos lies at the very heart of all Marchmont’s endeavours, from its public events to its unique artist residencies and on-site studios.


More Hot Stories For You


Greenwich Theatre's 2023 Kid's Theatre Festival Is Bigger And Better Than Ever Before! Greenwich Theatre's 2023 Kid's Theatre Festival Is Bigger And Better Than Ever Before! 
March 23, 2023

The Greenwich Theatre Kid's festival has been a much-loved highlight of the venue's annual programme since the strand was launched in 2007 with just half a dozen shows. 

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.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Presents the Choir of Clare CollegeSt. Stephen's Episcopal Church Presents the Choir of Clare College
March 23, 2023

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church presents the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge UK in a performance of 20th and 21st century choral works. This stellar vocal ensemble will perform pieces by composers including Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert Howells, Arvo Pärt, and Eric Whitacre.

Latitude Festival To Host The Listening Party With Tim Burgess & James AcasterLatitude Festival To Host The Listening Party With Tim Burgess & James Acaster
March 23, 2023

Latitude has announced that Tim Burgess will host his lauded 'Listening Party' live from the festival in celebration of Temp's debut album PARTY GATOR PURGATORY.

400 Companies From Over 58 Countries Converge On Budapest For The Tenth Theatre Olympics400 Companies From Over 58 Countries Converge On Budapest For The Tenth Theatre Olympics
March 23, 2023

From Easter to Midsummer's night, Budapest and Hungary will become a celebratory meeting point for theatrical world as 400 companies from 58 countries converge to perform in the 10th International Theatre Olympics.