Poison

In February 2000 Debbie appeared in a new musical Poison written by David Kramer and Taliep Petersen - at the Tricycle Theatre London.

Originally inspired by the gang wars and drug abuse of the South African townships the show is based on Shakespeare's Othello. The production was originally staged in Cape Town, and was reworked for Britain by playwright Jenny McLeod.

Poison is set in a club on a north London housing estate and concerns Michael, a corrupt club owner, Lyric, a singer addicted to crack, Poison, his dealer, and Pam, an anti-drugs campaigner. The story tackles racism, the music business and gangsterism.

Incidentally the show was choreographed by and starred Mykal Rand (who also worked with Debbie in Rent and Hot Stuff)

The cast appearing with Debbie included :

• Guy Burgess as Poison
  
• Claudia Cadette as Pamela
  
• Koffi Missah as Lyric
  
• Delroy Atkinson