The Realness at Hackney Downs Studio

Dom O'Hanlon
Dom O'Hanlon

The Big House with Big Broad Productions will present a brand new urban musical The Realness at Hackney Downs Studio in north-east London from 13 November to 20 December 2014.

Described as "a new East End musical with attitude", the musical features an upbeat score ranging from rap to reggae and gospel to grime featuring music tracks produced by Semothy Jones (Plan B) set to choreography from Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (Zoo Nation).

"When some people won't believe you've changed, and others don't want to let you change,  it isn't easy to make a new start. Jay Johnson is fresh out of prison and determined never to go back inside, but for all his efforts to stay on track,  he finds himself making a detour back in the wrong direction. Finally he's faced with the hardest choice of his life and only then does he understand what he has to do to change things for real."

The Big House has a simple mission: to enable young people who have been through the care system to fulfill their potential. The cast for the production will combine care leavers and ex-offenders who are supported by The Big House, alongside professional actors.

The Realness will reunite The Big House Artistic Director Maggie Norris with writers Maureen Chadwick, Kath Gotts and David Watson. They will be joined by Tony Award winning Video Designer Mic Pool, Sound Designer Ed Clarke and Lighting Designer Joshua Carr. The production will feature designs by Colin Falconer and Musical Direction by Michael Henry.

Originally published on

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