Race and Allyship Training
Maya’s latest project is a refreshing, urgent and daring new production in development called Benny and the Greycats.
Set in the 1960s, the story follows a family of Anglo-Indian musicians who swap playing in swing bands in South India to pursue a new life in the steel city of Sheffield. It is a story inspired by Artistic Director Suzanne Gorman’s family history, whose uncles played in the Madras Jazz Group in the 1950s in India, and then played in pop combos in Yorkshire clubs in the 1960s.
The play is rooted in working class northern culture and follows a migration journey exploring themes of cultural heritage, mental health, the legacy of colonialism and music.
Recent Developments
In March 2026, the creative team came together in London for an intensive music and writing workshop focused on developing the score and refining the early sections of the show. Working collaboratively in the room allowed the team to make significant progress on several key moments in the piece, including new musical arrangements and revisions to existing songs.
The workshop marked an important step in strengthening the foundations of the book and score, helping the team to clarify the direction of the work as it moves towards its next stage of development.
Next Steps
Over the coming months, the creative team will continue developing the script and music, with further collaborative sessions planned to shape the next phase of the piece.
In June 2026, the team will bring actors back into the room for a development workshop, culminating in rehearsed readings in London and Sheffield. These sharings will provide an opportunity to hear the work with performers and gather feedback from invited audiences as the musical continues its journey towards production.
We were delighted to share an extract at BEAM2023 at Oxford Playhouse. This followed a workshop development period in 2022 at China Plates Musical Theatre Darkroom at Royal & Derngate Northampton.
Taster of Benny and the Greycats Showcase Performance 2021
A performance of scenes and songs at Migration Matters Festival 2021.
Maya Productions showcased a work-in-progress performance of Benny and the Greycats at three festivals in July 2021:
Arcola Theatre as part of the Today I’m Wiser Festival on the 7th July at 5:00pm
Disrupt 21 on the 8th of July at 1:45pm
Migration Matters Festival on the 12th at 6:pm
………………………………………………………….
The piece was originally developed through the Open Lab at Barbican and then, through a workshop week and early-stage sharing at Sheffield Theatres.
Due to Covid 19, we postponed our next workshop and sharing of work to July 2021. We continued to develop the piece, at home, and eventually tested out some of the material in an online workshop in November 2020.
If you are interested in finding out more about the play and/or being partner or co-producer in the next stages please contact Producer Sam Holland at info@mayaproductions.co.uk.
Click here to download our information pack
Images from R&D at Arcola Theatre and Deli Sheffield during Migration Matters Festival 2021
“Really interesting the way the characters’ stories open up the politics of the time but how that directly links to issues of today related to immigration, Brexit, diversity of Britain”
“Good challenging themes, the need to assimilate and integrate”
“Great humour and very poignant story”
“Interesting and little explored story, Anglo-Indian v Indian/post empire fallout. Right to be challenging and real – the price of dreams can be high.”
“The relationship between the family, mother and son especially was moving”
Our company said
I really want to see a true story of immigration with great music hit the British stage, a non-stereotypical story of immigrants in the UK to highlight the importance of our multi-cultural society.”
( Natasha Lewis)
“I think this musical shows us what it means to be British from a point of view that hasn’t been seen before. As such, it is a very important piece.”
( Paul Sirett)
“I feel the piece is moving in a unique and exciting direction.”
( Adam Samuel Bal)
“the family was symbolic for every single family in the entire world who have HAD TO MOVE (forced) to seek survival and a future.”
(Jason Patel)
Images from workshop at Sheffield Theatres, click to enlarge
Images from Barbican Open Lab, click to enlarge
Photos of workshop week at Sheffield Theatres by Nadjet Ben Maghnia
Supported by Teale Charitable Trust, Unity Theatre Trust, Sheffield Town Trust, The Scurrah Wainwright Charity and The Arts Council.