Miles | Southwark Playhouse

Benjamin Akintuyosi gives a career-defining portrayal of the complex musician Miles Davis in this unflinching biopic. 

Revived at the Southwark Playhouse Borough after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Miles traces the rise, and fall, of one of jazz music’s most significant figures, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year, narrowing the piece’s spotlight primarily upon Davis’ incredible ‘Kind of Blue’ album. 

The piece is set, however, in a recording studio in 2026, where Akintuyosi’s Davis appears as a ghostly figure to struggling musician Jay, (Jay Phelps, who devised the original concept) who himself is looking to pioneer a new sound face with a collapsing musical career. What starts as a master-apprentice dynamic, with Davis’ demanding expectations taking their toll on a desperate Jay, soon becomes something rawer as Davis reflects on his own musical journey, blighted by personal and societal conflicts. 

Akintuyosi’s electric portrayal of the conflicting genius takes the production from strength to strength. Oliver Kaderbhai’s demanding script and direction push Akintuyosi physically yet the challenge is risen to right from the first few moments as Miles ‘rises’ from the lid of the centre stage piano. From here, it is fiercely energetic, guiding the audience through Davis’ formative years, his drug addiction and his stunning musical ability. While it is a little shy in confronting Davis’ more problematic life choices, such as his work as a pimp, there is enough in the piece to still force the audience to question whether it is possible to separate the art from the artist. 

Alongside Akintuyosi, Phelps’ portrayal of down-on-his-luck Jay is effective, and the piece gives Phelps plenty of opportunities to shine as such an accomplished trumpeter. The addition of live music feels a necessity in such a piece, with Phelps’ clear musical talents a genuine treat to see performed live. Phelps also multi-roles throughout with ease, assisting in exploring not just Davis’ complex backstory but also the numerous icons of 50s jazz that the musician worked with. 

Just like Davis’ music, however, the design of this piece also pushes boundaries and luxuriates in style. Colin J Smith’s wonderful video and projection designs are well mapped, with one particular impactful effect where Davis’ first love is projected on his chest a neat touch at humanising him. This is furthered by some clever projections, using real footage of Davis and his bandmates to throw us into the creative rehearsal room. In contrast, though, projections of boxer Joe Louis serve as a deft reminder of the prejudice Davis faced as an African American during this era. 

Likewise, Ellie Wintour’s set design, which emphasises the piano and trumpet, works well to establish the production’s key ideas. It is an inventive touch, when rapt with a crippling heroin addiction, to explode his trumpet’s parts out of Davis’ jacket, combining nicely with a strong lighting design (Alex Lewer) that exposes Davis’ flaws as well as his triumphs. 

That said, it is frustrating that Davis’ complexities are only somewhat touched upon. His addiction evokes some pity, but his womanising, objectification of women and domestic violence are all largely skimmed over or completely ignored, which makes it hard to fully get swept up in the man’s genius. There is certainly room to go further in this respect. 

Nevertheless, this is an impactful production that interrogates the challenges and sacrifices that one goes through to make art. Buoyed by Akintuyosi’s portrayal, we are pushed through Davis’ arrogance, his genius, his vulnerabilities and his defiances, all in an enthralling and engrossing 90 minutes. 

Davis is consumed with his musical legacy by the end, and the timeless nature of his work, despite it being almost sixty years old, is a testament to his success. Like Davis, this is a stylish, lavish, production that blends several styles to create its own, unique, melody. 

Miles is currently playing at Southwark Playhouse until 07th March 2026 - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Colin J Smith