Cable Street Musical Revives 1936 Battle with Timely Resonance
A stirring new musical at Marylebone Theatre powerfully evokes the 1936 Battle of Cable Street and the social conditions that led to this pivotal moment in London's history. Written by Alex Kanefsky, with music and lyrics by Tim Gilvin and directed by Adam Lenson, the production has moved to Marylebone Theatre following two successful runs at Southwark Playhouse in 2024.
Contemporary Parallels in Historical Drama
The musical's narrative resonates strongly with modern audiences, drawing clear parallels to today's societal challenges. With themes of far-right activism, a press filled with agenda-driven reporting, and a nation grappling with a cost-of-living crisis that often scapegoats immigrants, the production feels remarkably current. Set against the backdrop of Oswald Mosley's black-shirt fascists marching through London's East End, the show explores how ordinary residents stood united against rising extremism.
Compelling Character Portrayals
Through a present-day tour of Cable Street told in flashback, the musical follows three fatefully linked lives. Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly delivers a charismatic performance as Mairead, an Irish woman dreaming of becoming a poet while supporting her family. Isaac Gryn brings bruising anger to the role of Sammy, a Jewish ex-boxer whose faith proves insufficient against mounting bigotry. Barney Wilkinson portrays Ron, a Northerner whose desperation over unemployment is manipulated into racism and violence.
The ensemble cast excels in bringing to life the diverse community of Cable Street, including families, neighbours, Mosley's sneering thugs, and the ineffectual police presence. Director Adam Lenson ensures each character becomes an impactful thread in the rich social tapestry of the narrative.
Musical Depth and Emotional Resonance
Tim Gilvin's score demonstrates remarkable versatility, blending adrenalin-filled propulsion with mournful evocation. The music mixes brash 1990s pop beats with traditional Jewish rhythms, creating a soundscape as multi-layered as the community it represents. From the ominous 'With Enough Pressure' to the poignant 'Stranger/Sister' and elegiac 'Happening Again', the musical numbers capture the cyclical nature of protest and unity.
What makes Kanefsky's book and Gilvin's songs particularly affecting is their unwavering focus on intimate human tragedy. The production never loses sight of hardworking neighbours and migrant families caught in the sewage of fascism, struggling to understand why British Communists focus on Spain while they face rent increases and eviction threats at home.
Production Details and Performance Information
The musical runs at Marylebone Theatre from 28 January to 28 February 2026, with tickets priced between £30 and £63. Performances typically last 2 hours and 25 minutes, with both matinee and evening shows available throughout the week. The theatre is conveniently located at 35 Park Road in London's Marylebone district, easily accessible via the Marylebone tube station.
Like the splintered, ill-fitting rafters that frame Yoav Segal's set design, the production wisely avoids a tidy ending. Instead, its clear-sighted understanding of history's high stakes creates a deeply moving theatrical experience that reminds audiences that while crisis may always loom on the horizon, so too does the potential for solidarity and resistance.
