Show telling story of Reggae music and the Windrush Generation coming to the Apex

“Rush” is a show telling the story of Reggae music and the Windrush Generation and is coming to the Apex at the end of this month.

 In 1948, hundreds of people from the Caribbean boarded the Empire Windrush and travelled to Tilbury Docks, in Essex.

With them they brought an explosion of dance, art, writing and music which would transform British culture.  

After the Second World War large parts of Britain were in desperate need of rebuilding, so the UK actively invited immigration from Commonwealth nations.

“Rush” is narrated by comedian John Simmit and features the JA Reggae Band, playing music by Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Lord Kitchener, Millie Small and many more.

Owen Miller, the Artistic Director and Producer of the show, co-managed Liberty X and was tour manager for The Jacksons.

He said: “I began working in tour management and managing artists years ago. With the help of a cousin who played with Steel Pulse I started out by helping out backstage.  Tour management has taken me all over the world – Brazil and Cuba, the United States, Japan, Mexico, Australia and most of Europe. It sounds exciting but most of the time you saw the venue, your hotel room, and lived out of a suitcase so really it was just hard work.”

“I first had the idea for a show about the history of Reggae music about 25 years ago, but I hadn’t taken that leap of faith to produce it; however, I was on tour with The Jacksons last year and was talking to two of the brothers about my idea and they both encouraged me to take the next step.

 “My parents came to England, along with thousands of others, in the hope of finding a better life in the Motherland, so it was really important to me on a personal level to tell this story.”

One of the aims of the show is to highlight the positive impact immigration can have on a wider culture and the show brings together musicians/artists from different ethnic backgrounds to celebrate Reggae music. 

“Rush – A Joyous Jamaican Journey” is at the Apex on Monday, February 28, at 7.30pm. Ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see www.theapex.co.uk for more information or to book.