GUEST POST: Seven Dials Playhouse Announces Origin Stories Season

Origin Stories is the first full season programmed under Seven Dials Playhouse’s new artist-led model and features new work from bold voices exploring where we come from and who we become.

From queer firsts to family myths, monster metaphors to coming-of-age chaos, each show offers a distinct lens on what it means to look backwards in order to move forwards.

The season continues Seven Dials Playhouse’s evolution into a home for carefully curated, artist-centred programming, with a renewed focus on supporting the development and profile of new work. This is the venue’s first major season of longer runs – allowing time for word-of-mouth to build and press coverage to land – and reflects a deeper commitment to artistic support beyond opening night.

Four unforgettable stories about how we become who we are.

The season kicks off with four shows in The House; Storms, Maybe Snow, a portrait of family, illness and legacy told with tenderness and sharp wit. This is followed by Monster, first staged at the Park Theatre in 2022, which explores how our pasts shape our actions and whether despicable acts can ever be forgiven. Next up is Daddy’s First Gay Date, in which a late bloomer takes a nerve-wracking leap into queer dating. Closing the season is The Brown Ranger, which traces one boy’s journey from playground to adulthood in a moving exploration of race, representation and identity.

Alongside these productions, The Pen space is hosting a varied programme of shorter runs, including stand-up comedy and work in progress shows.

These include Somali-centred Maanta Comedy Night, showcasing comedians from Somali, Black, Asian and other minority backgrounds, and Chtinois; a witty and whimsical one-man show about identity, belonging, and the impossible choice between French and Chinese cuisine – performed entirely in French by Frédéric Gheung.

More shows are to be announced soon.

“I’m so proud of this season. Each show in Origin Stories is completely different in tone and form, but they all dig deep into the question of how we become who we are. There’s so much humour, heart and originality in this programme – and it means a lot to be able to give these stories the time and care they deserve. It’s going to be a powerful few months.”
– Katie Pesskin, Creative Director

Tickets on sale now from www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk

Seven Dials Playhouse. 1A Tower Street, London, WC2H 9NP | 020 3841 6600