THE LEGENDS OF THEM Will Embark on UK Tour

The Legends of Them, the award winning show written and performed by the reggae star, leading actor and Brixton luminary Sutara Gayle, has announced a UK tour with a premiere announcement on Craig Charles' BBC Radio 6 Show. The production, directed by Jo McInnes, will tour to Birmingham Rep 3-4 October, HOME Manchester 17-18 October, Bristol Old Vic 14-15 November, Leeds Playhouse 18-19 November, Belgrade Theatre Coventry 21-22 November and Brighton Dome 28-29 November 2025. The tour marks the 40th anniversary of the Brixton Uprising.

The production originally premiered at Brixton House in September 2023 winning the OFFIE award for Best Performance Piece. It transferred to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at The Royal Court Theatre for a three week run in December 2024. 

The Legends of Them charts the story of Sutara Gayle's extraordinary life - a pioneering female deejay on London's infamous reggae scene in the 1980s, Lorna Gee cut her cloth performing for the legendary Saxone, Coxsone and Nasty Rockers sound systems. A run-in with Linton Kwesi Johnson whilst waiting in the dole queue inspired her to write her first single  Three Weeks Gone (mi Giro) which she heard for the first time on the radio whilst doing a stint in Holloway Prison. Going on to have her hit single Got To Find A Way in the reggae charts for 6 weeks, Lorna won the BC Radio London Reggae awards 2 years in a row in 1985 and 1986,  followed by the 1992 New York, Tamika Reggae Award for best female Deejay.

In 1985 her sister Cherry Groce was shot by the police, sparking the second Brixton Uprising, and this landmark event in British history provides the socio-political backdrop to this compelling story. In her darkest hour, Lorna's brother - internationally renowned guru Mooji - takes her to India to experience her first Satsang (spiritual gathering) and it is Lorna's spiritual encounter - with the 3 legends in her life as her spiritual guides, her mother, sister and ancestry Nanny of the Maroons - which frames this story. Neither a conventional play or musical, The Legends of Them is a unique theatrical, shared spiritual experience. Expect a no holds barred, intimate encounter with an outstanding virtuoso performer who conjures multiple characters in this epic story.

Nina Lyndon, the co-founder of Hackney Showroom who are celebrating their 10th anniversary as a company, said: “We're thrilled to be taking The Legends of Them to audiences across the country. Sutara is an extraordinary artist with a unique gift and it has been such an honour to work with her and create this truly unique piece of work that brings together music, Black British history and spiritual transcendence. We can't wait to engage communities across the country in this truly memorable experience.”

A memory: South London reggae pioneer Sutara Gayle AKA Lorna Gee hears her radio debut from Holloway Prison. Another: She's engulfed in the Brixton uprising sparked by the police shooting of her sister. And now she is here, a silent retreat, seeking spiritual guidance from her brother Mooji and ancestor Nanny of the Maroons, and a moment of transcendence. Powered by high-octane musical numbers and a virtuoso performance, the critically acclaimed, award-winning The Legends of Them is a breathtaking, roof-raising chronicle of Sutara's singular, extraordinary life.

Tour Dates

Brixton House presents The Legends of Them
Zoo Southside, Main House
117 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9ER
August 19 - 24
17:25pm
Tickets: £18/£17
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://zoofestival.co.uk/programme/the-legends-of-them--here--now-showcase/ 

The Legends of Them 
Birmingham Rep
6 Centenary Square, Birmingham
B1 2EP
October 3 - 4
19:45
Tickets: £22 / £18
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

The Legends of Them
HOME Manchester
2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester
M15 4FN
October 17, 19:30
October 18: 14:00 / 19:30
Tickets: £26.20 / £21.20 / £19.20
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://www.homemcr.org

The Legends of Them
Bristol Old Vic
King St, Bristol
BS1 4ED
November 14 - 15
Tickets: From £15
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/ 

The Legends of Them
Leeds Playhouse
Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds
LS2 7UP
November 18 - 19
Captioned performance 19 November
Tickets: £35 / £32 / £28 / £25 / £15
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/the-legends-of-them/

The Legends of Them
Belgrade Theatre
Belgrade Square, Corporation St, Coventry
November 21 - 22
On sale soon
Tickets: to be announced by venue
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://www.belgrade.co.uk/

The Legends of Them
Brighton Dome
Church St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1UE
November 28 - 29
Tickets: to be announced by venue
Age: 14+
Content warnings: Contains references to racism, sexual assault & drugs misuse
70 mins
https://brightondome.org/