Billy Bragg in Pressure Drop

Wellcome Collection is thrilled to announce the presentation of its first major performance arts production. Pressure Drop, starring the legendary singer-songwriter Billy Bragg and his band, is the latest play from On Theatre and will be taking place in Wellcome Collection's largest gallery space. This passionate drama from acclaimed writer and theatre director Mick Gordon, with new music and songs written by Billy Bragg, is directed by Christopher Haydon with a limited run, 19 April -12 May, 19.30 (excluding Sundays). Press night is 22 April 2010.

As part of the Wellcome Trust's Identity Project, an ambitious season of activities focused on the endlessly fascinating topic of human identity, Pressure Drop asks a central question: What makes me who I am? It explores the individual, familial, social and political reference points which make a person definable and recognisable to themselves and others.

Part play, part gig, part art installation, Pressure Drop prompts the audience to consider which are the pressured groups in society today – an increasingly topical issue as the General Election approaches.
It presents three generations of a white, working-class English family struggling to define themselves both in relation to one another and within a changing social landscape. At the heart of the event lies a paradox. Our identities are continually in flux; but at the same time, we need a firm sense of rootedness, of belonging to something stable.

The collaboration between Mick Gordon and Billy Bragg came about when Mick read The Progressive Patriot by Bragg and became intrigued by the singer-songwriter's exploration on what it means to be English in contemporary Britain. In the book, Bragg reflects on his family and their history. He revisits the music that originally inspired him and challenges versions of patriotism proposed by the far right.

Billy Bragg said: "I have never done anything like this before; mixing songs with theatre is a totally new experience for me. Given that music makes a significant contribution to many people's sense of who they are, I am very excited to be working with On Theatre and Wellcome Collection as part of the Identity Project".

Post-show discussions will follow the performances on Thursday 29 April and 6 May.

Visit the website here.