English
English
1 hr 25 min with no interval
DURATION
CLOSING DATE
Until June 28, 2025
AGE LIMIT
Suitable for 14+ yrs
AboutVenueTickets
Why watch STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey?
- A genre-bending solo show blending Afrofuturism, queerness, and intergalactic exploration, STARS follows one woman’s cosmic quest for pleasure with wit, poetry, and radical heart.
- Debra Michaels leads with a magnetic solo performance as Mrs, supported by a live DJ and animation in a production praised as “exhilarating and necessary” by Time Out and “beautifully acted” by The Guardian.
- Written by Mojisola Adebayo, winner of the Alfred Fagon Award, and directed by Gail Babb and S. Ama Wray, STARS won Best Performance Piece and Best New Play at the 2024 Off West End Awards.
- Expect live DJ soundscapes, animated projections by Candice Purwin, creative captioning, and a tilted set that transforms a South London kitchen into an interstellar launchpad.
- Running at Brixton House for a strictly limited season, book your tickets for STARS as the critically acclaimed hit returns to London following a sold-out UK tour and rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe.
STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey is a one-woman show written by Alfred Fagon Award–winner Mojisola Adebayo and directed by Gail Babb (with co-direction by S. Ama Wray). It features Debra Michaels as Mrs, a middle-aged woman on a cosmic quest for her first orgasm, supported by Bradley Charles as DJ/Michael Manners and a live soundtrack. The production combines Afrofuturist African mythology, projected animation by Candice Purwin, and creative captioning to weave a story of trauma, pleasure, and empowerment
Designed by Miriam Nabarro with lighting by Nao Nagai, the staging alternates between a tilted council‑flat kitchen and an interstellar DJ booth, an intimate yet expansive setting that even includes a chance for live Q-and-A sessions on select performances and an 18+ club set night after the show. With a limited run and celebration of Black queer and feminist themes, STARS invites you into a deeply human and radically honest theatrical experience.
Storyline
In the near‑future, Mrs, an older woman living in South London, launches herself into space in search of her lost orgasm, prompted by encounters with three women: her secret‑burdened neighbour, an intersex ex‑colleague, and a tender laundrette connection. We travel alongside her through grief, desire, and healing as African myth and radical imagination guide the narrative. With Afrofuturist animation and DJ-driven soundtrack, STARS leaves you wondering how inner joy and cosmic encounters can leave you transformed.
Show timings
Show timings for STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & crew
- Leading roles: Debra Michaels as Mrs, Bradley Charles as DJ/Michael Manners
- Director: Gail Babb (co-direction by S. Ama Wray)
- Producer: A Tamasha & Brixton House co-production
- Playwright: Mojisola Adebayo
- Animation artist: Candice Purwin
- Lighting designer: Nao Nagai
- Musical direction and DJ mixes: Debo Adebayo
- Lighting associate: Jodi Rabinowitz
- Additional movement: Sarita Piotrowski
- Video consultant: Gillian Tan
- Creative captions: Stephen Lloyd
- Producer (for Tamasha): Debo Adebayo
- Production managers: Josephine Tremelling and Stuart Glover
- Stage manager: Emily Davies
- Production photography: Ali Wright
- Music: Live soundtrack featuring Sun Ra, Jamila Woods, The Upsetters, Floating Points, and more (curated/arranged within production)
Note: Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.
Age & content guide
- This show is suitable for ages 14 years and above.
- Content warning: This production contains sensitive topics that may be triggering for some audience members, including sexual violence, FGM, conversion therapy and intersex experience. The play also includes some strong language.Viewer discretion is advised.
- Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Brixton House
Brixton House is a vibrant, community-focused Off-West End theatre, whose historically inclusive space was a hothouse for 1930s young creatives . Opened in 2022 as the successor to the historic 1960s Oval House, it offers two modern black‑box auditoria seating approximately 180 and 120, designed by Foster Wilson Architects with an emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity. This theatre, prior to the purpose-built Brixton House space, resourced the first Pride Festivals in Kennington Park and has hosted for social justice groups including the British Black Panther Party, Black Theatre Co-op and the Theatre of Black Women. The space has been beloved with notable activists like Beverley Bryan, Mustapha Matura, Bernardine Evaristo and Paulette Randall as members. The theatre features sleek materials, a café-bar, seven flexible studios, wheelchair-accessible lighting and technical rigs, and has already hosted innovative productions and community-driven works since its launch .
Getting there
- Address: 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL, United Kingdom
- Tube: The nearest tube stations are Brixton (Victoria line) and Loughborough Junction (Thameslink)
- Bus: Buses 35, 45, 59, 109, 118, 133, 159, 250, 333, and 415 all serve the area.
Facilities & accessibility
Available facilities: restrooms, bar, café
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, accessible restrooms, companion seating, accessible parking spaces, Touch Tours for audio-described performances
Additional information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets redemption
- You’ll get an instant email confirmation right after you book your tickets.
- Enjoy a hassle-free entrance to the venue by showing your mobile ticket and a valid photo ID – no printout necessary!
Cancellation & refunds
- Tickets cannot be refunded, amended, or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions about STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey
Is STARS suitable for families?
This show is recommended for ages 14+ years due to explicit language, adult themes, and loud music.
What transit options are nearby?
The nearest Tube station is Brixton (Victoria line); bus routes 35, 355, and P5 serve the area.
How long is the show?
The performance runs approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, with no interval.
Is there a post-show club night?
Yes — on some dates, a DJ-led club night follows the show, starting around 8:45 PM.
Are sensory-friendly options available?
Yes — the venue provides creative captions, BSL on select dates, and is designed with inclusive, neurodivergent-friendly features.
What is the theme of the show?
The show explores Black queer identity, pleasure, liberation, and ancestral connection, all within a sci-fi narrative.
Is STARS a musical or a play?
While this show is a musical, it blends performance art, theatre, music, spoken word, and multimedia elements across multiple genres.
Who created STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey?
The play was written by Mojisola Adebayo and is performed by Debra Michaels, with direction by Gail Babb and S. Ama Wray.
Will latecomers be allowed into the performance?
Latecomer entry may be restricted depending on the performance and seating layout. Arrive early to avoid disruption.
Is photography or filming allowed during the show?
No, video, photo, and audio recordings are not permitted during the performance.
Are there any talkbacks or post-show events?
Some performances feature post-show discussions with the creative team or special guests.
Can I bring children to the show?
The show is recommended for audiences aged 14 years and up. Parental discretion is advised.
Is STARS part of a wider festival or season?
Yes, it's part of Brixton House’s Black Out season celebrating Black artists and creatives.