

National Theatre Live: Retrograde
2025 Directed by Amit SharmaHollywood’s so-called Golden Age. Ten years before becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar, a young Sidney Poitier arrives to sign a life-changing contract that could make him a star. But there’s a catch. As he becomes entangled in events larger than he imagined, Sidney is forced to make an impossible choice – one that will reshape his future, the Civil Rights Movement, and the soul of a nation. From award-winning writer Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys…), exploring integrity, betrayal, and the personal cost of success, Retrograde asks what would you sacrifice to achieve your dream? Backed by double Oscar and BAFTA nominee Colman Domingo as producer, Amit Sharma’s ‘perfectly pitched production’ (Independent) features Ivanno Jeremiah (Constellations), Stanley Townsend (Kaos) and Oliver Johnstone (Antigone).

Ivanno Jeremiah
....................................................Sidney Poitier

Stanley Townsend
....................................................Mr Parks

Oliver Johnstone
....................................................Bobby
Director
...........................................................Amit Sharma
Writer
...........................................................Ryan Calais Cameron
Lighting Design
...........................................................Amy Mae
Costume Design
...........................................................Frankie Bradshaw
Production Companies
...................................................National Theatre
Production Countries
........................................................United Kingdom
Spoken Languages
....................................................English
Genres
....................................................Drama
Reviews