Cable Street

Marylebone Theatre

Playing until 28th February 2026

Book tickets

Photo credit: Johan Persson

{PR Gifted ticket}

On a walking tour through London’s East End, the tour guide recounts the events that led up to and during the Battle of Cable Street, and the aftermath that took place in 1936. This political musical tells the march by the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in an attempt to provoke the multicultural population in East London and the counter demonstration that halted their advance. United by a common purpose to fight back against a group that aimed to sow the seeds of division, people from different backgrounds came together by a shared believe to block the efforts of the BUF.

Alex Kanefsky’s book is emotive and gripping, drawing the audience in with the candid thoughts of three young from very different walks of life and how they ended up joining the side they did. Almost as if reflecting stake of the matter, Adam Lenson’s direction instils a sense of urgency to the show, with each scene serving a unique purpose and accelerate the action with the cast’s every move. Though the message contained within is neither new nor groundbreaking, it is certainly a vivid reminder of the danger of fascism, one that perhaps resonates stronger today than it did a year ago. However, not all aspects worked as intended. The on-stage musicians for example, while they blended in and add much value to chaotic scenes that involve the whole cast and heighten the stake, their slow creep onto the stage at moments of self-reflections, like the one delivered by Barney Wilkinson in Act II, doesn’t quite create the same effect and arguably disrupt the emotional build up.  

Even though the pacing of the events is quick and covers significant ground, Kanefsky still manages to tell an exceptionally clear and coherent story that connects three families, and weaves in the recounting of the past leading up to the madness that occurred on the streets. Amongst all this and despite the weight of the topic, there are also the occasional humour, dark as they were, to refresh the air in the auditorium and provide a brief sense of respite from the tension on stage.  

It is not just a fantastic book, it is complemented and uplifted by a marvellous score by Tim Gilvin, with plenty of oomph behind every beat and lyrics that are meaningful. Each song sending a direct message with a whole story contained within every catchy number. 

The ensemble of actors bouncing off each other with every turn with choreography designed by Jevan Howard Jones, to set up the barricade the block the march by the BUF, with each of their movement and vocals shaped by fervent determination. Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly’s Mairead in particular is delivered with absolute resolve from the very beginning through the opening number, “What Next?”. Playing alongside Esin-Kelly are Issac Gryn in the role of Sammy Barney Wilkinson in the role of Ron. Gryn comes across as impulsive and full of aspirations to leave a mark in history, traits that come through with his every move. On the other hand, Wilkinson is hesitant and easily influenced, showing the audience the vulnerable young man that was sold the idea of the BUF and that sometimes life can lead you astray when you are constantly being beat down by your surroundings.

To enable fluid telling of the story, all aspects of the show must come together, including the various creative elements, and this is exactly what set Designer Yoav Segal and costume designer Lu Herbert managed to deliver. Slick creations that allow rapid and meaningful scene transition that allows the cast of ensembles to don a whole different persona at the drop of a hat.

Cable Street is an excellent piece of historic musical theatre that tells a highly relevant story with sheer ferocity, using past events to convey the importance of unity and not simply give in to the pressure of hardship.

Creatives

Book: Alex Kanefsky

Music and Lyrics: Tim Gilvin

Director: Adam Lenson

Musical Director: Dan Glover

Set Design: Yoav Segal

Sound Design: Charlie Smith

Choreographer: Jevan Howard Jones

Costume Design: Lu Herbert

Lighting Design: Sam Waddington, Ben Jacobs

Producer: Dylan Schlosberg at 10 to 4 Productions