A highlight of 2021 television programming, Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 series, It’s a Sin, won no fewer than 20 major Awards, including two BAFTAs, a National Television Award, Best Series at the Monte Carlo and Venice Television Festivals and Best Drama at the Edinburgh International Television Festival – now it is set to be reborn as a visceral piece of dance theatre by a dream team of creatives ahead of touring the UK next year.
The bold reimagining finds It’s a Sin’s original TV creator Davies serving as executive producer alongside legendary pop duo Pet Shop Boys and Glyn Fussell.
Originally set in London between 1981 and 1991, Davies’ story follows a generation of young gay men and their friends as the HIV/AIDS crisis unfolds around them. It is a story of joy and innocence, of loss and injustice – and of resilience, activism and love in the face of unimaginable change. As clubs pulse with possibility, friendships ignite, fear edges ever closer and lives are changed forever.
Transforming this narrative into a vital live experience in which contemporary dance, archive and cinematic visuals collide as past and present unfold side by side, the production will be choreographed and directed by Rambert’s artistic director, Benoit Swan Pouffer, reigniting his partnership with dramaturg Kaite O’Reilly on the development of a new script for the show.
Unapologetic, electrifying and deeply human, It’s a Sin aims to continue Rambert’s legacy of bringing ‘epic stories to the stage through movement that speaks to now and promises to be ‘a reckoning and a celebration told through fearless movement that asks questions about memory, community and how we choose to live’.
Davies admits, “Excitement is rising as this landmark production gets closer and closer. It’s such an honour for me to see It’s a Sin being brought to life by Benoit and the team with passion, joy and respect.”
Pouffer adds, “This is a story we feel compelled to tell right now, and collaborating with Russell – one of the most powerful storytellers of our time – is incredibly exciting. Together we’re exploring how dance and choreography can carry urgent, emotional narratives. I can’t wait to share this with audiences.”
Expanding the world of the TV drama, Rambert’s production brings together an extraordinary creative team. Shaping the musical landscape, composer and music supervisor Roman Gian Arthur will compose the music with the support of executive producers Pet Shop Boys, who composed and performed the original It’s a sin hit song, to evoke the glamour, defiance and emotional intensity of 1980s queer life, while set and video design comes from Luke Halls Studio, whose work spans global arena tours and major stage productions.
Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe reflect, “The original TV drama was a landmark series which compellingly presented the reality and tragedy of the Aids crisis to a mass audience. Our song, It’s a sin, was contemporary with the crisis and we are proud to be involved as this poignant and important story is interpreted in a different medium.”
Co-produced with Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre, Capital Theatres Edinburgh, Sadler’s Wells and Les Théâtres de la Ville, Luxembourg, It’s a Sin is a Rambert and Factory International co-production that will premiere at Aviva Studios in Manchester on 16 February 2027 before touring across theatres in Luxembourg, Liverpool, Birmingham, Plymouth, Southampton, Edinburgh, Norwich, Newcastle, Cardiff, Truro, London, Glasgow and Sheffield.
Factory International artistic director and CEO John McGrath, adds, “We are delighted to be partnering with Rambert on this thrilling new project. Russell T Davies is an icon, and the story he tells in It’s a Sin has resonated with all ages. Rambert will no doubt re-tell the story with great vision and beauty. We can’t wait to premiere this collaboration at our home, Aviva Studios, before sharing it with an exceptional group of national and international co-producers.”
IT’S A SIN UK TOUR 2027
MANCHESTER AVIVA STUDIOS 16-27 February 2027 | LUXEMBOURG THÉÂTRES DE LA VILLE 4-7 March | THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE 6-10 April | THE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 27 April-1 May | PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL 11-15 May | SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER THEATRE 20-22 May | MILTON KEYNES THEATRE 25-29 May | EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THEATRE 8-12 June | NORWICH – THEATRE ROYAL 15-19 June | NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL 29 June-3 July | CARDIFF WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE 6-10 July | TRURO HALL FOR CORNWALL 23-25 September | LONDON SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE 5-16th October | GLASGOW THEATRE ROYAL 2- 6 November | SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE 9 -13 November
Full details, on sale dates and tickets HERE
