Bus Boycott

Three men stand and crouch in the door way of an old green double decker bus.

Based on an original idea by Christopher Haydon

Written by:

Book / Lyrics by Roy Williams
Music / Lyrics by Tim Sutton

In 1963 Bristol became the epicentre for the civil rights struggle in Britain. In response to The Bristol Omnibus Company’s refusal to employ Black and Asian conductors, four young West Indian men organised a mass boycott of their buses. Backed by students and political figures such as Tony Benn and the high commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, their stand brought about a sea-change in race relations in the UK – leading to the first ever legislation explicitly outlawing racial discrimination.

This upbeat musical featuring Ska, Calypso and Pop tells the story of that epic and vital fight for fundamental human rights.

Supported by Warwick Arts Centre.

Photo © Paul Warwick

Job Opportunity

Freelance Associate Producer

China Plate Theatre are seeking to appoint two Freelance Associate Producers (part time) to scope out community partnerships and lead on the development of a programme of co-designed activities and events with local partners and contributors from communities in Birmingham, with a particular focus on residents of Perry Barr and Ladywood.

The Associate Producers will develop this co-curated programme alongside the development of “Bus Boycott” (working title) – a new musical which we currently have in development, in association with Birmingham Hippodrome.

The Associate Producers will be joining us at the exciting early stages of the project, and we have long term ambitions to grow the musical and co-curated programme together, with each informing the other, premiering both on a global stage as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme.

Please visit our Opportunities page to find out more information, including details on how to apply.

Deadline for applications – 10am, Wednesday 6 January 2021