Visual Communication graduate produces Windrush by Song

Rayyana Baghazal, BA (Hons) Visual Communication graduate, worked as a producer for a two-night run of ‘Windrush by Song’ at Leeds Playhouse.

‘Windrush by Song’ comes from Ol’ Man Swanny Productions, a Leeds-based production company centring African and Caribbean voices, whose founder Omari Swanston-Jeffers writes, stars and directs in the show. The production tells the story of the Windrush generation through the eyes of Sorel and Ginger, incorporating dance, live music, and theatre to spotlight the legacy of Caribbean communities on the UK.

After working as marketing lead for the show’s debut at Rise Up Festival in 2024, Rayyana became a producer at Ol’ Man Swanny Productions at the start of 2026. The role saw Rayyana act as a guide through the logistics of the production, which had been expanded to include new songs and acts. This included organising rehearsals through to liaising with stage crew and engineers, providing the performers with the “platform to do what they can, as well as they can”.

In addition to securing funding for the show, Rayyana also handled promotion and community outreach for the show, creating content for social media alongside press releases and pitch decks, securing coverage on BBC radio and reviews from Leeds Living.

The production ran at Leeds Playhouse on 22 and 23 June, with the opening night coinciding with Windrush day and welcoming Mahogany Market for Caribbean music and stalls throughout the evening.