Merlina Pearl: A Windrush Journey Takes Centre Stage in Leeds

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There’s something magical brewing behind the scenes in Leeds. This May, the powerful new

musical *Merlina Pearl: A Windrush Journey* will take to the stage, telling the story of a

young Caribbean woman who arrived on HMT Windrush in 1948 full of hope, only to face

rejection and hardship.

Written and directed by Jannette Barrett, *Merlina Pearl* is a

heartfelt tribute to the strength and spirit of the Windrush generation — and it's making

waves not just as theatre, but as a cultural event rooted in truth, legacy, and celebration.

Rehearsals are in full swing, and we’ve been busy stitching history and performance

together with live music, spoken word, and dance. The show opens in Leeds with three

performances: Saturday 10th May (2:30pm & 7pm) at Northern School of Contemporary

Dance and Sunday 18th May (7pm) at Riley Smith Theatre. If you’ve ever wondered what it

was really like for those first-generation pioneers who arrived in Britain with dreams and

suitcases, *Merlina Pearl* offers a moving and vivid lens into that experience.

What makes this show particularly special is the team behind it. Delivered by 2Chic Events

Management, this UK tour has been lovingly nurtured with a community-first mindset.

Following its Leeds debut, the production will travel to audiences in Birmingham,

Manchester, Milton Keynes, and London. We’ve invited local creatives, emerging

performers, and even school partnerships to get involved in what’s shaping up to be more

than a musical — it’s a moment of remembrance, resistance, and reconnection. And we can’t

wait for you to be part of it.