Bat Out of Peterborough

A new original theatre project from Eastern Angles - Inspired and Produced by Del Singh, Written and Directed by Beth Kapila

In 1980 all around the world as smart suited clubbers were strutting their stuff to the disco sound of Saturday Night Fever, in a corner of East Anglia things were getting hot, heavy and loud. In Peterborough the Singh Brothers Rock Roadshow was the only alternative for those who preferred to dress in denim and head bang the sound of Heavy Metal.

Bat Out of Peterborough is a new play from regionally focused theatre company Eastern Angles and is based on the true stories of Peterborough born writer and storyteller Del Singh who says. “I can assure you that nowhere in the UK, the World or indeed the Universe in the 80’s was there turban wearing Sikh lads playing heavy rock records to hundreds of bikers, rockers and metal-heads week in week out. Ours is the true and unique story of; Sikhs, No Drugs and Rock & Roll!”

“But this isn’t just a story of Turbans and Turntables it’s also about culture and community in 1980’s Britain. Tackling racist threats from far-right groups like the National Front on the one hand and disapproval from the local Punjabi community on the other because this loud raucous music wasn’t something nice Sikh boys did. A mix of drama and comedy all set against a backdrop of the rapidly growing new town landscape of Peterborough. Where a group of determined teenagers from an ethnic minority community looked to dispel stereotypes in an entertainment industry populated exclusively by white men. Follow their determined efforts to entertain the masses through their genuine love of all things rock and roll. All the time fighting prejudice, breaking down barriers, winning a loyal legion of fans and having lots of fun in the process”.

If you live in Peterborough today or were a part of the scene in the city back in the 1980’s, or you just love 80’s music then Bat Out of Peterborough will be right up your street. Acclaimed regional theatre company Eastern Angles is currently in the process of developing Bat Out of Peterborough as a stage play. On Friday 13th September we have organised 2 x exploratory sharing events across the city where members of the public are invited to attend to learn more about Bat Out of Peterborough and contribute to the process.

Bat Out of Peterborough Sharing’s:

• Friday 13th September – (2pm-3pm) at Chauffeurs Cottage, St Peters Road, Peterborough, PE1 1YX

• Friday 13th September (5.30pm-6.30pm) at Allama Iqbal Centre, 157 Cromwell Road, Peterborough, PE1 2EL

Sharing’s will be free to attend but as places are limited it’ll be on a first come first serve basis