Sappho: The Poetess announced at The Other Palace

Sappho: The Poetess announced at The Other Palace

15-09-25

A new British musical is set to take the stage this autumn. Sappho: The Poetess, written and performed by Hayley Canham, will run in workshop form at The Other Palace from 29 October to 1 November 2025, produced by DEM Productions. Tickets are on sale now.

The show tells the untold story of Sappho — lyric poet, queer icon, and history’s first great songwriter. Living on the Greek island of Lesbos around 630–570 BCE, Sappho broke away from Homer’s tales of gods and heroes to write about love, longing, beauty and friendship. Her words, often set to music, shaped a new poetic tradition and inspired generations that followed. Plato famously called her “the Tenth Muse,” while her name and homeland gave us the modern words sapphic and lesbian.

Directed by Hannah Hauer-King (The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, The Swell), this musical memoir reimagines Sappho through a theatrical and musical lens. A newly released video of Canham performing Burning As One marks the launch of ticket sales.

Hayley Canham said:

“I first read Sappho’s poetry when I was 15 — there’s not much of it after all — and have been in love with her ever since. While writing this show I’ve tried to stay faithful to what we know about her and I can’t wait to bring this remarkable woman back to life on stage.”

Hannah Hauer-King added:

“Hayley’s ingenious conception of Sappho as a rockstar and lyricist makes this a story audiences won’t forget. It’s a show for existing lovers of Sappho and music enthusiasts, but also anyone who knows what it’s like to dare to be different.”

DEM Producers Ramin Sabi and Emily Lunnon first encountered Canham’s work at BEAM:

“Less than one year ago we witnessed Hayley pitch 10 minutes of musical theatre that instantly blew us away. We’ve never taken on a project so quickly, and we’re confident audiences will be part of a completely new step in the artform.”

Get tickets and more information from the official site HERE.