A new stage adaptation of the acclaimed television drama 'It's A Sin' is set to debut in Manchester, bringing a fresh artistic interpretation to the powerful story of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Creator Russell T Davies has joined forces with iconic pop duo Pet Shop Boys to transform the series into an immersive dance production. The project is being developed in collaboration with renowned dance company Rambert and arts organisation Factory International.
The production will premiere at Aviva Studios, although an official opening date has yet to be announced. Blending contemporary choreography with cinematic visuals, the show aims to reimagine the original narrative for a live audience.
The television series, first broadcast in 2021, followed a close-knit group of friends navigating life, love and loss during the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Britain. It starred Olly Alexander and Callum Scott Howells, alongside a supporting cast including Stephen Fry and Neil Patrick Harris. The series was widely praised for its emotional depth and cultural impact.
Davies expressed his enthusiasm for the new adaptation, describing the project as deeply meaningful. “It’s one of the greatest honours of my life to have the show transformed into something new and exciting,” he said, reflecting on the evolution of his original work.
Members of the Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, also highlighted the significance of revisiting the story. “The original TV drama was a landmark series which compellingly presented the reality and tragedy of the AIDS crisis to a mass audience,” they said. Referencing their hit song that inspired the show’s title, they added: “Our song was contemporary with the crisis, and we are proud to be involved as this poignant and important story is interpreted in a different medium.”
The production will feature music composed by American artist Roman GianArthur, while choreography and direction will be led by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer. He will co-write the script with playwright Kaite O’Reilly.
Pouffer emphasised the emotional urgency of the project, stating: “This is a story we feel compelled to tell right now… we’re exploring how dance and choreography can carry urgent, emotional narratives in a visceral way.”
With its blend of movement, music and storytelling, the production seeks to honour the legacy of the original series while introducing it to new audiences in a bold theatrical form.
