Show that tells the story of the Windrush Generation coming to The Apex later this month

Get ready to enjoy the music of Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Millie Small and many more later this month at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds.

RUSH (pictured above) is a show telling the story of the Windrush Generation and how reggae music took the world by storm.

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

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.

RUSH is narrated by comedian John Simmit and features the JA Reggae Band, playing ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, dancehall and reggae.

Owen Miller, the artistic director and producer of the show, explains how the show came about.

He said: “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 in 2018 and was talking to two of the brothers about my idea and they both encouraged me to take the next step. That encouragement really motivated me.

“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.

Owen says: “It may sound idealistic, but we have a message to convey and that is we can all learn from each other, if we can just see past our differences and work together. Reggae Music is our vehicle to achieve this and the response we received at the two pilot performances in 2021 was phenomenal.

“Overall, we want the audience to feel informed and uplifted with an evening of superb music.”

You can see RUSH – A Joyous Jamaican Journey at The Apex on Thursday, March 28, at 7.30pm.

Ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see www.theapex.co.uk for more information or to book.