Bobby (Ian Bonar), a screenwriter, has created a leading film role for his friend, Poitier. It’s the noxious era of McCarthyism in America, (which led to the blacklisting of individuals in the movie industry who were considered left-wing and so accused of Communist activity) and Parks gives Poitier an ultimatum. If he signs a contract declaring allegiance to America and betrays his friend, Paul Robeson, (an African American singer, actor and civil rights activist who is blacklisted by the US government), he’ll be cast in the part, if he doesn’t, Poitier could be blacklisted himself. 

At a Q&A after the play Calais Cameron said, after learning about this true event, he wrote Retrograde to show what it meant to be Black in a different time and place. 

Poitier is faced with an impossible choice. It  isn’t just about compromising to get ahead and being able to push for progression from a platform or sacrificing his  career and future whilst maintaining his integrity; there’s a possibility of incarceration.  Moreover, the writing explores why he is in the position of having to choose.