Coming to England returns to Rep theatre during half term

Following its world premiere at Birmingham Rep in 2022, Floella Benjamin’s inspirational stage production Coming to England is returning to the theatre from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 February 2025.

The show, based on Floella’s iconic award-winning book, returns with a new look and visits the theatre as part of a wider UK tour.

Much loved by children and families, Coming to England tells Floella’s own story of emigrating to England as a child.

Aged just 10, Floella and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents. But Floella’s excitement for her new life in England is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s’ London.

Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.

Coming to England was first published in 1995 but Floella says its message remains important today and she hopes people of all ages and backgrounds can take inspiration from her story.

She said: “There are more and more people now living in Britain from all different parts of the world and many will be going through almost everything I did 64 years ago.

“Trying to navigate their way through a sometimes hostile environment, facing adversity, rejection and not having that feeling of belonging.

“So, the book Coming to England, which is in almost every school in the country, is making a real difference. It is a comfort tool and it also opens people’s eyes to what those who are different from you are going through. Also, it helps teachers to approach the subject in an all-embracing way.”

Adapted for the stage by David Wood, the show features music, storytelling and song.

Floella is The Rep’s patron of Youth and Education.

Coming to England is directed by award-winning Denzel Westley Sanderson, with designs by Jasmine Swan, Musical Director/Arranger Abdul Shyllon, choreographer Kloe Dean and produced by Nicoll Entertainment.