Passion Fruit

‘In that moment, the burst of love, I knew there was no going back.'

Romeo is a Black, Gay, British-Jamaican boy growing up on a North London housing estate. Around the corner, joy awaits…

Passion Fruit is about family, culture and community – embracing them, surviving them, and coming out shimmering in gold dust. Through gang violence and doomed relationships, homophobia and hedonistic sex, Romeo’s arrived at this moment: vibrant, bruised, fiercely ambitious – and ready to share a love story.

Brimming with joyful movement, brutal honesty and tender insight, Passion Fruit is a new coming-of-age comedy-drama from Dior Clarke and co-writer Stephanie Martin. Supported by The PappyShow and New Diorama, this world premiere follows sold-out previews at The Glory to rapturous audience responses.

Age recommendation: 14+ with parental guidance. The show contains strobe lighting, strong language, references to drug use, and scenes of a sexual nature.

★★★★★ ‘Fizzing, fresh, and funny.’
Queer Guru

★★★★ 'Scream-out-loud funny... fearless and fabulous.'
Attitude Magazine

★★★★ 'Overtly outrageous & told with a tenderness that is utterly joyous... the dance sequences are just exquisite.'
Boyz Magazine

‘A rollercoaster rush…performed with infectious abandon.’
British Theatre Guide

Creative Team

Writer Dior Clarke
Co-writer Stephanie Martin
Director Melina Namdar
Dramaturg Rikki Beadle-Blair
Designer Sandra Falase
Sound designer Kayode Gomez
Lighting designer Martha Godfrey
Stage Manager Crystal Gayle
Movement Director / Artistic Mentor Kane Husbands, The PappyShow
Associate Movement Director Mateus Daniel

Cast

Dior Clarke
Charlotte Gosling
Hayden Mampasi

Additional activity

Access to any of the following events is included in the price of your ticket to the show.

✨ The Batty Mama: Photography and Film exhibition

Throughout the run of Passion Fruit, we will be hosting a photography and film exhibition in the NDT foyer, curated by Black Queer Mixed-Media and Performance organisation The Batty Mama. Featuring short films from Mimi Koku, Laura Kirwan-Ashman and Dior Clarke, and photos from Angela Dennis and Roxanne Anderson.

✨ Saturday 12th March: Post-show DJ

DJs Kayodeine and Sekuru are emerging DJs specialising in queer Black underground nightlife, and they will be playing in the NDT foyer post-show. In their own words, 'It's gonna be balls to the wall... ' 💿

✨ Monday 14th March: Post-show panel discussion

Don One, also known as Bad Lay Dee, will be hosting a post-show panel discussion on Creating Queer Black Spaces, Art and Nightlife. The panel will include playwright Dior Clarke, event promoter Aakash Bharania and DJ Mark Ashely-Dupe.

🍕 Free Pizza at Every Performance 🍕

Between January - June 2022, New Diorama are offering free slices of pizza to every audience member post-show - in partnership with Domino's Camden.

Yes, really.

All pizzas will be veggie, with vegan and GF options available. Ask at box office if you have any special requirements or allergies.

Find out more here.