Immersive show explores town’s role in soundsystem culture

A new theatrical production exploring Reading's vibrant soundsystem scene of the 1970s and 80s will be staged at South Street Arts Centre this month, co-written by current and former students from the University of Reading.

The Sound, running from 21-24 January, tells the story of how Caribbean music and culture transformed Reading, establishing the town as a key hub in the UK soundsystem movement. The immersive production, performed to a standing audience, recreates the atmosphere of a soundsystem night, combining live performance with the music that defined an era.

Caribbean sounds

The show follows two Reading schoolchildren in 1974 as they discover the sounds arriving from the Caribbean, embarking on a journey that would see them become part of a cultural phenomenon that took them across the country.

Based on interviews with members of Reading's Caribbean community who were central to the scene – including selectors, operators, box boys and MCs – the production celebrates the pioneers who shaped Reading's musical heritage. The show also features local artists Rueben Irie Sound and Jah Lion Movement.

Former and current students from the University's Department of Film, Theatre and Television have co-written the production. They are also involved in directing and starring in the show.

Dr Lucy Tyler, from the University of Reading's Department of Film, Theatre and Television, is producing the show alongside South Street's John Luther. She said: "This production celebrates a wonderful collaboration between the University of Reading and South Street Arts Centre.

“Our students have worked alongside professional theatre-makers to transform original testimony from Reading's Caribbean community into compelling drama. These stories reveal how Reading was at the heart of a cultural movement that shaped British music history, and we're proud to bring these voices to the stage."

The Sound is part of SITELINES, South Street's programme of theatre in unusual spaces, which has brought innovative companies to Reading and worked with local talent to create productions about the town's history and community.

The production has been supported by Arts Council England with National Lottery funding.

Tickets

Performances run at 7pm on Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 January, with an additional matinee at 2pm on Saturday 24 January. Tickets operate on a choose-your-own-price basis and can be purchased at whatsonreading.com.

The production lasts for one hour with the option to enjoy more music afterwards.