Last night, crowds at Mighty Hoopla were treated to a preview of It’s a Sin – a major new dance adaptation of the 2021 Channel 4 series of the same name. The emotive choreography, performed by a group of dancers dressed in striking party-ready costumes, was a taste of what to expect from the production, which is created by leading UK dance company Rambert in partnership with Manchester arts organisation Factory International (Manchester International Festival).
It’s a Sin will premiere at Manchester’s Aviva Studios on February 16, 2027, then come to Sadler’s Wells on June 10, 2027. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now.
The heart-wrenching, life-affirming series – created by Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk, Doctor Who) is set in London between 1981 and 1991, and follows a group of young gay men and their friends reckoning with the HIV/AIDS crisis. It’s a story of resilience and joy in the face of tragedy and injustice, and received 11 Bafta nominations.
Named a Pet Shop Boys song, the dance adaptation will, fittingly, be composed with the band’s support; they are also co-executive producers. “Our song was contemporary with the crisis and we are proud to be involved as this poignant and important story is interpreted in a different medium,” they said in a statement. Working alongside the band on musical composition will be Roman GianArthur (whose instrumentalist credits include Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer and The Age of Pleasure).
Joining the band as executive producers will be Davies and Glyn Fussell (Sink the Pink, Mighty Hoopla). The show will be directed by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer, who will work alongside dramaturg Kaite O’Reilly on a new script.
“Storytelling sits at the heart of Rambert’s mission. This is a story we feel compelled to tell right now, and collaboration with Russell – one of the most powerful storytellers of our time – is incredibly exciting,” Pouffer said.
Beyond the choreography, the staging promises to be visually spectacular, with video and set design by Luke Halls Studio, which has worked on global arena tours by names like Adele, the Pet Shop Boys, Dua Lipa and Take That.
Pre-sale tickets are available now, and general sale opens at various dates according to venue.
