Lowry to host an immersive exploration into the history of Grime

An immersive exploration into the history of grime comes to Lowry this June.

Fresh from a sold-out world premiere run at The Pit, Barbican and Gloucester Guildhall, HighRise Entertainment’s Lil.Miss.Lady, starring MC Lady Lykes, lifts the lid on what it takes for a female MC to navigate her way through the heavily male-dominated industry in the early 2000s.

The show is supported by SICK! Festival and as part of the opening night on Fri 13 Jun, there will be an afterparty for audience members with a line-up featuring some of Manchester’s finest female MCs headlined by rap powerhouse Lady Ice, and rising star Meduulla (who is also hosting proceedings), and DJ’d by producer Ethan Hill, with support slots to be filled with emerging local talent following HighRise’s work in the community.

The multi-layered production is described as a ‘proper gig with a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred narrative.’ Telling the story of a Grime crew hellbent on becoming superstars, Lil.Miss.Lady follows their journey through the sounds and visuals of Black-British bass music culture, as they climb from Channel U to number 1 in the charts, and Lil.Miss.Lady hits number 32 in the NME’s coolest acts of 2004.

In Lil.Miss.Lady the audience is part of the script; instead of seats, there’s a full-blown dancefloor with a bar. A series of mini-mixes break up the story, blurring the lines between theatre and gig, as the storyline blasts through the years, from the early stages of Jungle, through UK Garage, Sub-Low, Funky House, Dubstep and Grime.

The show features original music from Best Book / Lyrics winner at the Black British Theatre Awards 2024, Lady Lykez, and Dominic Garfield, mixed by live DJs including DJ Kaylee Kay (Kiss FM, 1Xtra).

Writer and director of Lil.Miss.Lady Dominic Garfield said: “As cuts in funding for the arts limit creative potential, HighRise’s ambition continues to disrupt, drive and grow. The UK nightlife scene is shrinking due to forced closures of clubs and venues, and the need for HighRise’s work is becoming more and more essential.

“To merge theatre and a Grime rave, at this moment, is a big middle finger from all of us who are told we can’t. To centre the voices of women in the scene helps us celebrate whilst forensically examining what it means to fight for the art and culture we all deserve.

“This show is nostalgic, authentic and a tingle of the senses; with the hottest soundtrack, elite performances and a shared mission of joy. I can’t wait to share it with the world!”

Lil.Miss.Lady comes to Lowry Fri 13 & Sat 14 Jun. Grab your tickets using the button below.