The Brown Suite – Review – Bradford Alhambra
By Christine Goode, November 2026
It’s Friday night and the weekend is here – time to let loose. A meal out, a drink or a trip to the club? For those whose clubbing days are well behind them, the theatre offers an appealing alternative. Bradford Alhambra has another exciting show on this weekend: The Brown Suite.
Clips on social media and billboards around town offered an enticing introduction to the production, making it look like a show well worth seeing.
The Brown Suite is the latest full-length production from contemporary dance company BlacBrik, co-founded in 2023 by choreographic duo Nahum McLean and Darius Drooh. They first met ten years earlier while training at the renowned Alvin Ailey School in New York.
The production blends ballet, contemporary and modern dance with jazz, funk and soul. Each dance style remains distinct yet works beautifully with the music to tell the story. In collaboration with Fundamentally Dance, they have created an outstanding dance production.
“Feast for the eyes”
The lights are low, and the stage looks cool. A large illuminated sign takes centre stage, its bold, curvy lettering recalling the album covers of the era. Even the programme resembles a 12-inch vinyl album and makes a lovely keepsake. As the music starts, the audience is plunged into a 1970’s nightclub.
The story follows a close-knit group of friends through the changing stages of their relationships. From their apartments to the club, their social interactions, flirtations and movements on the dancefloor can lead to joy or heartbreak.
The dancers are a feast for the eyes, and the choreography is superb. Every carefully considered movement is executed with precision, from balletic attitudes and arabesque lines to small, isolated modern movements and powerful contemporary leaps. A generous mix of funk and disco adds an authentic 1970s nightclub feel. With no dialogue, the show tells its story effortlessly through dance and music, from a struggling couple in their apartment to the girls chatting and applying make-up in the toilets.
“Effective”
Joshie Harriette and Max Marchment’s sound and lighting design is inspired. Freestanding lighting rigs sit sideways at the edges of the set, while lowered lights create an intimate dancefloor atmosphere and whirling gobos sweep over the dancers. A particularly effective touch is the way the music becomes quieter and muffled as the girls retreat to the toilets to do their hair and make-up, then blasts back to full volume as they return to the dancefloor.
The soundtrack speaks for itself, featuring James Brown, Sam Cooke and Etta James – some of the greatest musical artists of all time. Songs such as ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’, ‘You Send Me’ and ‘At Last’ would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s playlist.
The audience clearly enjoyed the show and were on their feet at the end. This production will appeal to dance and music enthusiasts alike. Even a reluctant partner, dragged along to a show they had little intention of seeing, could leave with their perspective completely shifted.
More info: thebrownsuite.com
images: Deborah Jaffe
Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk
