Press room

For immediate release: Tuesday 15 February 2022

The PappyShow at the Barbican

Barbican Open Lab alumni The PappyShow bring two productions to the Barbican’s Theatre and Dance programme. Firstly, as part of the Barbican’s 40th anniversary in March, the company curate a Pit Party - two joyous evenings of physical theatre, music and fun celebrating inclusivity. Secondly, the following month, the company perform their award-winning production in Silk Street Theatre – BOYS – created in response to ideas of British masculinity. This run of BOYS follows a week-long interdisciplinary residency by The PappyShow for Guildhall School of Music & Drama students.

The PappyShow Pit Party
Friday 4 & Saturday 5 March 2022, The Pit
Press performance: Saturday 5 March 2022, 6pm

This Pit Party is an evening of radical joy, celebrating bold and beautiful dance, music and the best of vibes curated by The PappyShow.

The playful ensemble company host this exciting mixed-bill of performances that showcase their own work and other outstanding artists they love. With collaboration, community and marginalised identities at the heart of the night, they introduce the best of dance, physical performance, spoken word and a live DJ set. Performers include DJ Lewis Griffith, Aaron J Gordon, Azan Ahmed, Simran Hunjun, Saida Ahmed, Yemurai Zvaraya, Bianca Stephens, Andre Fyffe, Lydia Barton-Lovett, Baker Mukasa and Jordan Johnhope.
 
Founded by Kane Husbands in 2013, The PappyShow is a theatre company of eight friends that brings people together to move and create space for people to dance, play and celebrate their authentic voice. As well as their critically-acclaimed productions – such as BOYS, Winner of the Origins Outstanding New Work Award at VAULT Festival and OFFIE nominated GIRLS – they lead diverse workshops that centre training for everybody and all bodies.

The PappyShow – BOYS  
Tuesday 12–Saturday 23 April 2022, Silk Street Theatre
Press performance: Wednesday 13 April 2022, 7.45pm

Laugh, cry and celebrate with the performers of The PappyShow as they share a multitude of stories about being a young man of colour in an electric show bursting with physical energy, tender reflection and playful improvisation.

Weaving slick choreography and dialogue with a soundtrack of contemporary beats, this award-winning show celebrates male tenderness, silliness, vulnerability and community. Joyful, electric, unscripted and occasionally raw but always tender, BOYS has been created to unravel preconceptions and uncover the endless possibilities of masculinity.

Presented by the Barbican in association with Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the show has been created by the company in response to ideas of British masculinity.
 

Notes to Editors

Fluid in its format, the Barbican’s Pit Parties invite a guest artist, producer or organisation to curate a programme of work by multiple artists that interest them, and offers time for audiences and artists to socially interact in a relaxed environment. The inaugural Pit Party took place in 2016, curated by nitroBEAT. Since then the Barbican has presented Pit Parties in collaboration with Touretteshero, Studio 3 Arts, Transform Festival, Jamie Hale and Inua Ellams.

The Barbican believes in creating space for people and ideas to connect through its international arts programme, community events and learning activity. To keep its programme accessible to everyone, and to keep investing in the artists it works with, the Barbican needs to raise more than 60% of its income through ticket sales, commercial activities and fundraising every year. Donations can be made here: barbican.org.uk/donate