On Railton Road at Museum of the Home

Based on real people and their lived experiences of squatting in the 70s, this landmark production will use rare archival interviews to bring this revolutionary period to life on stage, highlighting queer domestic spaces.

In 1970s Brixton, these gays want to set the old world on fire.

Ian Giles and Louis Rembges’ critically acclaimed play is a hedonistic drama about the lives and loves of the pioneering queer squatters who fought for a place to call home.

Casper wants to bomb WH Smiths. Daire wants to put on a play. Atom is naked in the garden on an acid trip. Ned just wants to be with Philip and live on Railton road forever.

On Railton Road throws you headlong into Brixton’s radical past where queer activism transformed the lives of this unique community.

On Railton Road is based on some of the real people and events that happened in the Brixton squats on Railton Road in the 70s.  Focusing on the gay liberation movement and the start of the Brixton Faeries, it is a story that surprisingly hasn’t been told before and I’m happy to say this production seems the perfect forum for it.

The dialogue and performances here are remarkably realistic, naturalistic and domestic in all the best ways.  It feels like you are sitting in the squat with them listening to them argue, love and create as they all feel so real.  The characters are all instantly warm, magnetic and likeable and feel exactly like conversations I could hear my friends having.  The entire cast performs well it is hard to find any to stand out.

This busy, chaotic and politically driven household provides for a great watch.  At times, the anger and frustration felt by the characters is palpable.  The pacing and energy are similarly well done, as the show darts between the life of the characters and the play within a play demonstrating a Punch and Judy version of a nuclear family.  The mask work in these sections is great, inventive and at times laugh out loud funny.

Overall, it is a charming show with characters you can’t help but love, even with their flaws as they change history from the ground up.  On Railton Road is on at the Museum of the Home until the 18th of November.

Tickets were gifted in exchange for a review, all words and opinions are my own