MILES. is a bold theatrical work inspired by the life and legacy of Miles Davis and his musical influences. Offering an imagined portrait, the play explores the inner world of an artist driven by innovation, ambition, and contradiction.
Following an acclaimed sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025, the newly extended version of MILES. transfers to Southwark Playhouse Borough this February.
Written and directed by Oliver Kaderbhai, and created by the same creative team behind the original production, MILES. is realised in DELIRIUM’s distinctive visual style. Blending performance, projection, and heightened theatrical imagery, the production crafts a dreamlike journey through creativity, addiction, and artistic risk.
Set within a recording studio space in New York, Jay Phelps plays Jay, a contemporary jazz musician seeking answers as he interrogates what it takes to create something truly great. As past and present collide, Davis challenges Jay to confront his own identity as an artist while revisiting moments from his own complex history.
MILES. immerses audiences in an evocative theatrical world shaped by sound, rhythm, and memory — offering an imagined, non-literal portrait of a cultural icon whose influence continues to resonate.
This production is presented by special arrangement with Miles Davis Properties LLC and Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
★★★★★ “Miles Davis reincarnated… To perfection” Daily Mail
★★★★★ “MILES. is essential viewing for music lovers, theatregoers, and anyone interested in the cost and the beauty of creation” All That Dazzles
“an intelligent, thoughtful love letter to what should have always mattered the most: the music” UK Jazz News
★★★★★ The Indiependent | ★★★★★ These Theatre Thoughts | ★★★★ Broadway World | ★★★★ London Box Office | ★★★★ Adventures in Theatreland | ★★★★ The Reviews Hub | ★★★★ Theatre Weekly | ★★★★ The Spy in the Stalls |★★★★ Lou Reviews |★★★★ London Theatre 1 |★★★★ London Unattached |★★★★ Cinerama |★★★★ Theatre & Tonnic |★★★★ North West End |★★★★ Salterton Arts |★★★★ London Living Large |★★★★ The Arts Desk
Award Nominations
London Pub Theatres – Critics Choice Award.
Offies Assessors Choice.
The Fringe Theatre Awards – Benjamin Akintuyosi and Jay Phelps (Duo Performance).
Access Performances
Captioned Performance: Thursday 19 February, 7.30pm
Details
Theatre: The Little
Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Tuesday & Saturday: 3pm
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
No interval and no re-entry.
We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.
Technical Guidance:
The production contains loud noises, strobe lighting, flashing lights, haze, and use of herbal cigarettes.
Content Guidance:
The production contains strong language and depictions of racism, sexism and substance abuse.
Recommended for ages 14+.
Please contact us if you require any further information about content guidance.
Monday 2 March
Post-show discussion with Clive Davis. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance. Full details below.
Captioned Performance: Thursday 19 February, 7.30pm
Post Show Events
There will be a post show event held after the evening (7.30pm) performance on Monday 2 March. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance.
Monday 2 March – Post show Q&A with The Times’ Clive Davis. Clive Davis is chief theatre critic of The Times. He has also written about music for the paper for several decades, reviewing jazz, world music, cabaret and folk. The first Miles Davis album he fell in love with was Porgy and Bess.
Take a listen
Why not listen to ‘Kind of Blue’, the Miles Davis album at the centre of this play with music?
The Company
Benjamin Akintuyosi
Miles and Elwood Buchanan
