Theatre is back at the heart of the borough this summer with a revival of Firebird at Southwark Playhouse Borough. The production, written by Phil Davies and directed by Marlie Haco, opens a conversation about the pressures faced by young people today through a tightly focused drama about two teenagers.
What the staging promises
The new production blends movement, music and a fresh approach to staging. It aims to take audiences through a sequence of shifting emotions while addressing social issues that the creative team describe as "urgent and often overlooked". The play follows the relationship between two young characters as one is drawn into a dangerous situation, and it seeks to prompt questions rather than offer easy answers.
Cast and creative team
Kelise Gordon-Harrison takes the central role of Katie. This cast marking is also notable for Gordon-Harrison's London stage debut, a milestone she describes as both exciting and a little nerve‑wracking. The production is under the direction of Marlie Haco with the original script by Phil Davies.
- Production: Firebird
- Writer: Phil Davies
- Director: Marlie Haco
- Lead: Kelise Gordon-Harrison as Katie
- Run dates: 9 July–1 August 2026
- Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough
"This is a piece of theatre made to evoke so many different emotions throughout," the lead says of the revival.
Why local audiences should take note
For people in Southwark and the wider London borough community, this is an opportunity to see a contemporary play that deliberately examines modern youth experience. The creative team say they want audience members to leave both better informed and inclined to question assumptions. For a compact, well‑placed venue such as Southwark Playhouse Borough, productions of this nature help sustain a lively local cultural calendar through the summer months.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Firebird |
| Dates | 9 July–1 August 2026 |
| Venue | Southwark Playhouse Borough |
Tickets are available via the theatre. The revival promises an emotionally charged evening combining performance styles and a contemporary perspective on issues affecting young people.
