Manchester is set to host the world premiere of a new dance production adapting Russell T. Davies’ critically acclaimed television series, It’s A Sin, with the show’s creator partnering with the Pet Shop Boys for the reimagining. The production, a collaboration between Rambert, Factory International, and the pop duo, will blend contemporary dance with cinematic visuals at the city’s Aviva Studios, though a specific premiere date remains unconfirmed.
The original It’s A Sin, which aired on Channel 4 in January 2021, followed the lives of a group of gay men navigating the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s and early 1990s Britain. Despite being set in London, much of the series was filmed in and around Manchester, contributing to the city’s significance in the show’s narrative. The series garnered widespread acclaim, becoming Channel 4’s most binge-watched show on demand and receiving a record number of nominations at the 2022 British Academy Television Awards.
Davies, also known for creating the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk, described the adaptation as a “great honour.” “It’s A Sin was such a special show for me, and it’s one of the greatest honours of my life to have the show transformed by Rambert into something new and exciting,” he said. The Pet Shop Boys, whose 1987 hit single provided the title for the television drama, echoed this sentiment. “The original TV drama was a landmark series which compellingly presented the reality and tragedy of the Aids crisis to a mass audience,” Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe stated, adding that they were “proud to be involved as this poignant and critical story is interpreted in a different medium.”
Rambert’s artistic director, Benoit Swan Pouffer, will choreograph and direct the production, with Luke Halls Studio responsible for set and video design. American singer Roman GianArthur will compose the music for the show, according to The Guardian. Pouffer emphasized the importance of storytelling within Rambert’s mission, stating that collaborating with Davies allows them to explore how dance can convey “urgent, emotional narratives in a visceral way.”
The television series starred Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Nathaniel Curtis, and Lydia West, and featured supporting performances from established actors including Keeley Hawes and Stephen Fry. NME hailed the series as a “queer masterpiece” in a five-star review, noting its ability to portray the human cost of the AIDS crisis through relatable characters.
The new production aims to build on the emotional resonance of the original series, offering a fresh perspective through the medium of dance. Rambert described the project as an attempt to “transform this narrative into an immersive, living experience where contemporary dance, archive and cinematic visuals collide as past and present unfold side by side,” as reported by Deadline. Further details regarding casting, performance schedules, and ticket availability are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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