This month, the Housemates Festival returns to Brixton House inviting artists to take over the House for three weeks from 1-19 Sep.
The Brixton House Housemates Festival 2026 explores themes of women’s healthcare, queer faith, politics, race, loneliness, and contemporary survival, while staying rooted in South London communities.
The festival is part of Brixton House’s deep commitment to invest in artists to develop their creative potential. Alongside new works, this year’s expanded Housemates Festival also includes three weeks of wrap-around events aimed at career and creative development.
We spoke to some of the wonderful cast and creatives involved in this year’s festival.
Tube Chronicles by Razak Osman is part of Brixton House’s flagship Housemates Festival for new work, 1-19 Sep. Tickets £17 https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/
Please introduce yourself …
My name’s Razak Osman, Capricorn (but I don’t believe in dem tings deh), from Leytonstone.
Tell us about your production and the story you’re bringing to Housemates Festival this year…
Tube Chronicles was birthed from my lived experience of working the night tube on the London underground and balancing an acting career. I’ve been doing night shifts for 11 years now. It’s also about the human condition and the ups and downs of being an artist. Hopefully it holds a mirror up to the people watching and they can see themselves in this play. I’ve developed this play over the past 3 years and thought Brixton House would be perfect for Tube Chronicles. As soon as the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.
Tell us a little about your team and the people helping you bring the production to life…
So there’s myself, the creator, co-director, producer, writer and performer. Ashley Joseph my very talented, multi faceted, co-director and Original dramaturg. Poppy Morley, the bright-haired, Sound extraordinaire. Avery Elliott our friendly American on the video and lights. Fern Crosby, helping with all things on the producer side. Theophilus Bailey, the chiselled, drafted in to help out with all things movement
How does it feel to be part of Housemates Festival 2026 and to have Brixton House supporting the development of your work?
It feels great and validating that out of hundreds of submissions, my one-man play based on my life working for the underground, got chosen.
What does this story mean to you personally?
It means everything to me, it’s a direct reflection of me. It’s my true story. 90% of the contents of this play really happened in some shape or form.
Tube Chronicles comes directly from your experience of working TFL night shifts while trying to build your career as an actor. When did those nights go from being something you were living through to something you knew you had to put on stage?From very early on I knew I wanted to write something about working on the underground, but I couldn’t figure what form it should take. I’ve always thought it would be great as a TV mini-series but I didn’t know where to start. Then in 2023, Ashley Joseph called with an opportunity to perform some new writing at a scratch night, at Studio 3 Arts, which sadly is no more. Initially I said no because I was scared I’d be rubbish, but then I thought, maybe this is an opportunity to see if I can write something about these stories I tell on Instagram about my night shifts. Safe to say it went well.
Each of the productions this year tackles some pretty big themes, from race, identity and mental health to faith, healthcare and survival. How did you decide on the way you wanted to approach the themes within your own work?
To be honest, I didn’t come at Tube Chronicles from that angle when I was developing it. I had a lot of dramaturgical help from George Chilcott. We came at it from the angle of trying to capture a heightened version of what a single night shift is like, and how the underground is a microcosm of society, so we tried to touch on those things. Like homelessness, racism, work life balance, whilst trying hard to balance between funny and serious.
Tell us about a memorable moment from the development or rehearsal process so far…
Having a lengthy discussion about whether to include a story about someone who had diarrhoea in the lift.
Housemates is about championing new voices and new work. What do you think British theatre needs to be doing more of when it comes to supporting emerging artists and the stories they want to tell?
I think British theatre, and by extension the government, needs to not only support but trust emerging artists more. I think it’s vital to platform and create a stronger culture within our industry to nurture and look out for emerging artists and stories. There’s so much great work out there that gets missed because of lack of funding and eyes. Every major theatre should have their own version of Housemates Festival.
GETTING TO KNOW …
If not this, then what? Scientist or traveling film maker
What’s made you sad, mad, & glad this week? Seeing the suffering in Nepal, something I wanted to book was sold out, seeing old friends at Tube Chronicles.
What are you watching? 7up on ITVX, it’s incredibly interesting!
What are you reading? A book on meisner technique
The last film you watched? The Odyssey
The last play you saw? Cyranno – Adrian Lester WOW inspirational
The last live music event? Soulection! 15th anniversary
What’s currently on your playlist? All the girls – Credo V Daniels
Which podcast are you listening to? The rest is science
What’s on your bucket list? Be in a play at the National Theatre
Where’s your happy place? At home with my fiance
Celebrate someone else … Jade Hackett the extraordinary multitalented force to be reckoned with
Celebrate yourself … growing up in the notorious Cathall council estate, leaving drama school 11 years ago. Through the ups, and many downs, I’ve managed to perform at NT, Old Vic, BBC, ITV, RSC and more…and I’m still going, despite many obstacles!
What’s next? Great question! Trying to get Tube Chronicles made into a mini series on TV
Where can we find you? (socials) @razak02 @BrxHouseTheatre
Where can we watch you at work? Brixton House until 5th September (if you can get a ticket!)
Tube Chronicles by Razak Osman is part of Brixton House’s flagship Housemates Festival for new work, 1-19 Sep. Tickets £17 https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/@razak02 @BrxHouseTheatre