The acclaimed words-and-music show 'Cafe Society Swing' tells the true story of the first racially - desegregated jazz club in New York - Cafe Society, which opened in Greenwich Village in December 1938. Full of swinging jazz, blues, gospel and bebop, the show follows the venue’s thrilling struggles and triumphs to its eventual demise in America’s ‘Red Scare’ of the late 1940s. From 1938 to 1949 Cafe Society played host to some of the finest musical talent of the 20th century, including Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie. Billie Holiday was one of the first headliners at the club and it was at Cafe Society that club owner Barney Josephson presented her with the classic protest lyric Strange Fruit – which became her signature song.

Currently on sale at Theatre Royal Stratford East June 5th-16th.

SERVICES PROVIDED

Executive Producer Services