What’s On: Coming to England, Mast Mayflower Studios, Southampton

A BRAND new stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin’s award-winning children’s book Coming to England will be on stage at Mast Mayflower Studios later this month.

Adapted by David Wood with music, storytelling and song, the show is based on the TV personality’s own childhood story.

Floella was just 10 years old when she and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents in England. But excitement for a new life was short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s London.

Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled and excited that a vibrant musical, based on my book is set to go on tour around the country.

“This uplifting and inspirational Windrush story was written emotionally through the eyes of the child and, as we have all been children, it will resonate with everyone. Coming to England is a positive story of love, adventure, belonging, facing challenges and overcoming adversity to become successful.”

Over the last five decades, Floella has had a diverse and varied career in several sectors of the entertainment industry as an actress, singer, presenter, writer, independent producer, businesswoman and media regulator. She has written more than 30 children’s books.

Coming to England was published in hardback in October 1995 and re-published as a 20th anniversary edition, which was selected as a Guardian Book of the Year in 2016, and the Times Book of the Month. The adaptation is from David Wood, who is one of the country’s leading writers and directors of plays and musicals for children.

Coming to England will be at Mast Mayflower Studios, Southampton, from Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th October. Tickets are from £14. For more information visit: http://mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.