BlackBrik brings 1970s Harlem to life with debut dance production

A debut production rooted in soul and movement

Dance company BlackBrik staged its first full-length production at Theatre Royal Brighton, bringing the energy of 1970s Harlem to the stage. The Brown Suite ran for two nights in early November, developed rapidly from an earlier duo performance by the company's founding dancers Nahum McLean and Darius Drooh.

The production unfolded across three acts. Pulse and Play depicted young couples meeting on New York streets. Party and Fracture moved the action to a Harlem nightclub called The Brown Suite, where the company performed tightly choreographed ensemble sequences and romantic duets. Reprise and Release concluded the evening with dancers returning to joyful moments on the dancefloor.

The eight-strong cast included Lukas Hunt as Marcus, Leila Wright as Denise, Hugo Bragg as Julian, Darius Drooh as Ray, Monique Jonas as Angela, Nahum McLean, Joshi Martina as Mr New York, and Marie Astrid Mence covering additional roles. Joshi Martina provided comic relief throughout, playing various characters including cleaner, cocktail waiter and DJ, changing costumes between scenes.

Music and choreography

The soundtrack drew on soul legends including Sam Cooke, James Brown and Etta James. Key musical moments included Etta James's "At Last" and "I just want to make love to you", James Brown's "The Payback" and "It's a Man's World", and an early Sam Cooke doo-wop section with "You Send Me".

The nightclub sequences proved particularly effective, with the company demonstrating considerable skill in energetic, tightly choreographed routines performed in front of moveable record decks. A clever production detail involved muffled music when characters disappeared to the powder room, creating authentic nightclub acoustics.

The second half shifted dramatically when lovers quarrelled on the dancefloor. Conflict escalated into what was described as West Side Story-esque confrontations, with male dancers delivering arresting choreography as friends became embroiled in disputes over love rivals and jealousy. The production concluded with audiences rising to their feet.

The set and lighting design, created by Joshie Harriette, featured vertical neon lights and a nightclub sign announcing The Brown Suite. Creative producer for the show was Jamiel Devernay-Laurence from Ballet Nights.

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