Ten years before he becomes the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor, Retrograde, this gripping drama captures the moment a young Sidney Poitier prepares to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. But there’s a catch. Will he put his career before his principles? In a time of betrayals, will he name names? Will he sign his life away?
Ryan Calais Cameron’s punchy Retrograde will debut at the Apollo Theatre following a sold-out run at the Kiln Theatre. From 8 March until the 14 June, audiences can catch the gripping drama starring Ivanno Jeremiah as a young Sidney Poitier, alongside Stanley Townsend and Oliver Johnstone. As Hollywood’s gold gates swing open, Sidney must make a choice – how far will he go for fame?
Sidney Poitier’s early career kicked off in the late 1940s. Writer, Ryan Calais Cameron, explains how he made sure Poitier’s story wasn’t lost to time:
“I’d heard loads of stories about The Hollywood Ten, The Red List, Communism, and how that had infiltrated the industry, but I’d never heard of it from the perspective of a black actor, who was already dealing with Jim Crow oppression. And, as I’m reading more – a witch hunt! Espionage! I thought, how did he get through all that!?
It sounded like an intense thriller, and it’s so good I thought someone must have written about it already… but after some research, it seemed like no one had stumbled across this gem like I had. Then I questioned whether I even had the right to talk about such an American icon and story, set in such a different time. So it took some time to convince myself that I could at least start the journey.”
Navigating Hollywood as one of the first black men, Sidney Poiter’s experience was full of complexity – navigating politics, facing stereotypes, and trying to be a role model. He faced a constant back-and-forth between the type of actor he wanted to be, and the type of actor Hollywood wanted him to be. Ryan discusses how he explores these dilemmas in the show:
“One of the biggest questions I’m asking is about integrity. Especially with Sidney being an artist, it’s reflective of how far I would go in order to state my case. I have certain things that are non-negotiable, but if you slap some money on the table…would that change? We look at that through the play”.
Bobby is a good friend of Sid; he’s a hard-working liberal that brings him into a project, but does Bobby have a price? Those are the big questions we want to ask— what do we do in these kind of situations?”
The relationships between Sidney, Bobby, and Mr Parks, are central to the show. We had the pleasure of viewing the three on stage together in an exclusive preview scene. Each shone in their respective roles, and the passion for the show was clear in speaking with them. Oliver Johnstone, as Bobby, discusses the importance of playing Sidney’s screenwriter confidant:
“It’s a dream role. It’s about Sidney, but all three characters are well-rounded, and human, and complex. It’s a play about loyalty, and where all of their loyalties lie and are tested. Really, it’s about survival and self-preservation.”
Stanley Townsend is the star protagonist as the bolshy lawyer Mr Parks. In his words:
“This part is fantastic – it’s full of charisma and humour and humanity, and danger. It’s the full range, and it has purpose. Playscripts are pretty hard to read but after three pages, I was hooked! It’s a page-turner. To play an entertaining part in a play that has purpose, and at the West End, that’s a dream job! So I said yes, I think I will please!”
Ivanno Jeremiah, as the iconic Sidney Poitier (with a remarkably spot-on accent) went on to explain how deeply meaningful the play is to him:
“I think it was Denzel who said, “The devil comes for you when times are good”. There is something about this play that really is a cross-roads trial. Hopefully leaving the theatre the audience feel galvanised to make those decisions in this modern age, where things are coming thick and fast, and you’re being asked to quickly make value judgements on what you believe – and what you’re willing to stand for. The algorithm is getting rid of some of these names, so I hope the audience can remember them.”
Ryan adds to Ivan’s wishes for the audience:
“I want audiences to learn a little something about a great man, an icon, someone that’s important to me. I want them to be entertained – it’s a good show!
I would love for audiences to see where they fit, whether they’re an artist or not, whatever their line of work is, to question what they want in their life, what they’re willing to give up. The play to me is as relevant today than any time.”
From listening to Ryan and the cast, and catching the actors as they performed, the passion and love that’s gone into the show is clear. As is his track record, Ryan Calais Cameron is sending a message to his audience, and the opportunity to self-reflect.
With the collaboration with the wider creative team, including; Amit Sharma (Director), Frankie Bradshaw (Set and Costume Designer), Amy Mae (Lighting Designer), and Beth Duke (Sound Designer), I have no doubt the show will be a thrilling and poignant West End watch.
NEED TO KNOW: Retrograde runs at the Apollo Theatre from 8 March to 14 June 2025 | Read our 5 star review of Retrograde (2023)
