Chicago, 1927. In a recording studio on the city’s South Side, a battle of wills is raging.
Ma Rainey, Mother of the Blues, uses every trick in the book to fight her record producers for control of her music. Hardened by years of ill-treatment and bad deals, she’s determined that ‘Black Bottom’, the song that bears her name, will be recorded her way.
But Levee, the band’s swaggering young trumpet player, plans to catapult the band into the jazz age. His ambition puts them all in danger.
Inspired by the real-life Blues legend and infused with her music, August Wilson’s play speaks powerfully of a struggle for self-determination against overwhelming odds.
Sharon D Clarke plays Ma Rainey.
Talks and events
Dominic Cooke Thu 11 February, 6pm
African American Playwrights Sat & Sun, 27 & 28 February, 11am
Talk: The Music of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Wed 16 March, 5.30pm
Photography (Sharon D Clarke) by Seamus Ryan
More Lambeth Listings MORE
Jesús Aguaje Ramos & His B.V. Orchestra
Jesús ‘Aguaje’ Ramos (born 1951) is a Cuban trombonist, composer, arranger and musical director best known for performing…
Randall Goosby & Zhu Wang: Bologne & Schubert
The internationally acclaimed young violin and piano duo offer a feast of seductively gorgeous music, bringing to life…
Mix & Move: Hip-Hop Grooves
Showcasing dance styles and dancers from across the globe, Mix & Move is our monthly programme of accessible dance workshops…
Norman Jay’s Good Times Band
MondayThe legendary DJ and co-founder of the Good Times Sound System spreads good vibes with his funk, disco…
Black Culture Market – Summer – Windrush Market
Please join us for an inspiring showcase of carefully selected black businesses in May/June 2025. This is an…
Special Edition: Words on Wax
Come along to listen to a selection of curated poetry and music on records, and to hear from…
Chineke! Orchestra: Marsalis’ Fiddler’s Tale
Jazz icon Wynton Marsalis’ update of Stravinsky’s uncanny tale, L’Histoire du soldat (The Soldier’s Tale), is a modern parable of…
The Robert Cray Band
Take the rare opportunity to see the legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter as he shares some of the most…