Blending theatre and voguing with Sundown Kiki Reloaded – a play like no other

In November 2021, Sundown Kiki took over The Young Vic with a show that merged ballroom culture with theatre in its celebration of queer South London. 

Working with an all LGBTQ+ cast of Black and global majority talent, it originated as part of the Participation youth programme run by Taking Part – the theatre’s Creative Engagement department, but after selling out all its dates in its original run, it’s now coming back bigger, better, and bolder as Sundown Kiki Reloaded. 

The play is spearheaded by creative director and London Ballroom scene pioneer Jay Jay Revlon. The thirty-one-year-old South Londoner sat down with GUAP to discuss the play’s unique format, his approach to directing theatre, and his hopes for the future.  

GUAP: How has Sundown Kiki Reloaded come to be?

JAY JAY: Sundown Kiki was started to give a voice to young people to tell a story using the medium of ballroom culture. In Pose or documentaries about voguing, the narrative always focuses on a group of people who are part of this lifestyle. With this play, we wanted to build more of a storyline touching on other subjects, such as young motherhood and friendships. Now the show is coming back with a remount, and since 2021, the group has had so many experiences and changed so much. Last year they went to New York in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute, learned about ballroom culture, and met people there, which was a cog of this change. With this remount, it’s no longer a youth-based project. The cast is hired, paid, and professionally treated. 

GUAP: Why was it necessary to have that international link?

JAY JAY: The ballroom scene comes from the US, and experiencing it there is so different from Europe. But the connection is also in regards to bringing British theatre into that culture. It’s a colliding of two worlds. People from ballroom and the theatre collide and learn something from each other. Initially, I would say no to doing the show because I hate theatre that takes from the culture. But I could see the longevity of support this time, and the trip to New York was an example. I think The Young Vic is doing what most theatres want to do and is ahead of its time. A lot has come out of this collaboration. The actors are now part of the community, have joined houses, walking balls in Europe… And we were able to host two balls in the theatre earlier in the year! Integration is really what has come out of it. 

GUAP: What’s it been like to direct this as someone who doesn’t have a theatre background?

JAY JAY: I had imposter syndrome at one point because everyone was using these theatre terms, but then I realized: I have eyes and ears. If I hear something and don’t like it, we’ll keep rehearsing until it sounds right. Some people like to say I’m thorough; I want to say I’m an asshole [laughs]. When it comes to using ballroom in the theatre, I’m going to be so particular about everything. I don’t want the cast to use formal English language that doesn’t make sense. There’s a ‘reading’ section in the play, and I didn’t want it to be a simple back-and-forth; the cast members cut each other off and make reaction sounds; it doesn’t matter if you don’t hear every exact word. I wanted the feeling that you have when you go to a ball to be there. I wanted it to be a bit rough. 

GUAP: Who is the play for?

JAY JAY: It’s a piece of art that has to be seen by everyone. I think it’ll become a core part of British theatre history. I want queer people and people from the scene to come and own the space. I want Black people, and people who usually don’t feel like the theatre is their place, to go and scream and shout next to the regular theatre-goers.

GUAP: What’s the next step for Sundown Kiki Reloaded?

JAY JAY: I see it going on TV. But I don’t want any restrictions. Maybe it’ll have a 5 million production. Perhaps it’ll end up on West End. I hope the theatre world pays attention and rethinks the way it has traditionally worked.

Sundown Kiki Reloaded is at the Young Vic Theatre, Maria Studio from 31 July-11 August. www.youngvic.org 

Discover more from GUAP’s Arts and Culture section here.