ELMINA'S KITCHEN.

London

ELMINA'S KITCHEN
by Kwame Kwei-Armah

Birmingham Rep and National Theatre Tour to 2 April 2005 then
Garrick Theatre London
Mon-Sat 8pm Mat Thu 3pm Sat 4pm
Runs: 2h 25m, one interval

TICKETS: 0870 890 1104 (£1.50 booking fee per ticket on telephone bookings)
50 seats per performance at £10
Review: Rod Dungate, Birmingham Rep, 1 March 2005

Light the touch paper, wait quite a bit, then the firework really explodes into lifeELMINA'S KITCHEN is well into its successful run and now on tour.

In some ways, Deli's (Deli the main character and proprietor of the Kitchen) inability to establish a better life than the macho, gun-at-the-ready one of his surrounding black society, is depressing; on the other hand, this is a play, and that fact that black people recognise the problem and bring it vigorously before us all is a ray of hope.

The play starts slowly and is somewhat lacking in focus, but once it gets going, sparks fly and the atmosphere is often electric. This is especially true in the scenes between Deli (Kwame Kwei-Armah, himself) and Anastasia, his eccentric and thoughtful assistant (Dona Croll). There's a real connection between them. Kwei-Armah gives us such vulnerability in his feelings for Anastasia we are totally drawn into his dilemmas how does he survive without losing face, can he open himself up to this woman, how does he handle his son. While we share this fictional character's struggles we must be only to painfully aware exactly how true, how real, these dilemmas are.

Croll is a lovely contrast. Sparky, vibrant, energetic, wonderfully quiet sometimes. The way she switches accents is most effective, Anastasia's own vulnerability is evident but unexplained until well on in the story. We really like this feisty woman and when she first stands up for herself amidst these bullying males she earns (at least on the night I saw it) well earned applause. Dynamic connection made with many in the audience.

Don Warrington, Clifton, Deli's father, gives an entirely engaging performance of a thoroughly dislikeable character. He and Oscar James (fake-designer trader, Baygee) create a darkly-funny double act as two chilled out male chauvinist gossipers.

Digger: Shaun Parkes
Deli: Kwame Kwei-Armah
Ashley: Michael Obiora
Batgee: Oscar James
Anastasia: Dona Croll
Clifton: Don Warrington

Musical Director: Rory McFarlane
Musicians: Juldeh Camara, Atongo Zimba

Director: Angus Jackson
Designer: Bunny Christie
Lighting: Hartley TA Kemp
Sound: Neil Alexander
Music Supervisor: Neil McArthur
Fight director: Terry King

2005-03-03 11:42:01