Coming to England world premiere is coming to Birmingham Rep theatre

Floella Benjamin has revealed Birmingham’s understanding of different cultures is one of the main reasons behind her decision to bring David Wood’s stage adaptation of her famous book ‘Coming to England’ to the second city.

Dame Floella’s award-winning and iconic book tells her own story of emigrating to England as a child from Trinidad at the age of ten. However, racism and intolerance made for a brutal introduction to life in this country for Floella and her siblings in 1960s London.

Never someone to shy away from a challenge – even in her tender years – Floella overcame the adversity and became Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.

The hugely respected actress, singer, author and politician said it was fitting that Birmingham will now host the world premiere of the stage adaptation when the musical show runs at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Thursday, March 31 to Saturday, April 16.

What is Coming to England about?

Floella said: “Coming to England is a fascinating story. It’s a story about many people who live in one culture and cross the ocean, across the lands, to come to live in another culture and the adversity that you may find along the way.”

What aspects of the stage show is Floella most excited about?

She said: “I’m most excited about seeing the show come to life through music. The biggest thing for me in the story is hope and music lends itself beautifully to giving people hope.”

What excites her about award-winning director Omar Okai’s vision for the show?

“Well, when I first met Omar and asked about his vision, I realised that he’s a livewire,” said Floella.

“We are kindred spirits. I think the show is in good hands with Omar because he’s got that special magical touch. You’ll explode with joy and happiness with what he’s going to create.”

What is it like working with David Wood on the stage adaptation?

Floella added: “I met David way back in 1976/77 when I did (children’s television programme) Play Away and David had a real understanding about family - shows for family - so I felt it was in safe hands when I asked him to adapt it for the stage for me.”

Why is it important to Floella that the show is being performed in Birmingham?

The 72-year-old continued: “Birmingham calls to me and, when I met (Birmingham Rep artistic director) Sean Foley, he came rushing to me and said ‘I’ve heard about your play Floella and I want to put it on in Birmingham’ and I said ‘Wow, Birmingham, there we go again’.

“When you think about it, Birmingham is such a diverse city. It’s probably one of the most diverse cities in the country and Birmingham has the understanding of different cultures.

“It’s almost like a melting pot for the future.”

What does Floella hope audiences take away from the show?

She said: “It’s going to be like an explosion of joy, of singing, of laughter, of fun and I want people to leave the theatre singing the songs, dancing along the street feeling ‘Yes, I can do anything in this world because Floella said I can’.”

Visit birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/coming-to-england for more details including how to buy tickets.

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