Fade To Black / Counting Stars

Delving into the deep underworld of Britain’s nightclubs, Counting Stars examines the degrading working conditions of some of Britain’s most exploited people through the prism of the doomed love story of Sophie and Abiodun.

Counting Stars tells the story of two Nigerian toilet attendants Sophie and Abiodun who spend their nights working in the same nightclub in Woolwich in the aftermath of Lee Rigby’s murder. They are united in love but divided by a toilet wall. In their respective loos, they sell hairspray, perfume, cologne, condoms and lollipops for a quid or two to passing punters. There is relief for Sophie in the company of thoughtful clubber Samantha but Abiodun is not so lucky in the Gents where he frequently encounters the ever-on-edge David. In the harsh universe that they inhabit, Abiodun believes in standing and fighting at any and every opportunity whilst Sophie takes it easy knowing that their fate will be delivered by the stars…Will they be able to overcome the many obstacles in their way to happiness and love? And if they don’t stand up for themselves, who will?

Fade to Black is a darkly funny urban fairytale which questions; what does it mean to be alive anyway? Featuring live music and developed in collaboration with people with lived experience of depression. Preliminary research supported by the Tom McGrath Trust.

Fade to Black. Thursday. Dusk. Tomorrow a young woman has a meeting which may change her life forever, but she can't focus. Her sister is nagging, the neighbours are shagging and the TV talks of botox and the imminent threat of nuclear war. She needs to sleep but what will she wake up to this time? A romantic date, a jam with Hendrix or an atomic bomb?