LITTLE SWEET THING To 23 April.
LITTLE SWEET THING: Roy Williams
Eclipse Theatre on tour
Runs: 2h 35m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, Birmingham Rep Theatre, 7 April 2005
A lot of things to say, perhaps too many to say in one playWilliams's play explores many important and disturbing issues; the disappointing thing about it, though, is that explores too many of them. The play lacks a sharp focus and its parts don't add up to a satisfactory whole. There are some great moments in it, however, and some marvellous performances.
Kev, young and black, has served time in Feltham and returns to his community wanting to find a way to live life with a future. His dilemma is that, as a young man without education or qualifications, he can only find a job as general dogs-body in a local supermarket. He forms a relationship with young Angela she's off to university in Manchester and offers him a way out. The play examines the pressure his peers put on him, either to look after them or to get a better ie more cash rewarding job (aka drugs/ guns/ violence). Kev is desperate to stay out of trouble, but he's clearly losing face if he does so. The play loses its focus because of the second major story strand. Kev's sister Tash is a loud-mouthed, violent, bullying and obnoxious pupil, lashing out at her teacher who is doing her best to help her.
Williams's mistake is that he's not clear which journey he wants to follow; the Tasha strand is as fascinating as it is powerful. We feel ourselves being pulled in two directions. The play is well written 'minute by minute', but it lacks a sense of 'play as a whole'.
Seroca Davis turns in a great performance as sister Tash. Her aggressiveness provokes strong emotions but she performs with an innocence that keeps her vulnerability in front of us too. Her scenes with her teacher, Miss Jules, are mesmerising as the teacher vents her frustration at Tash's blocking of all advice and help. Kay Bridgeman's performance is a huge asset how I wish her role went somewhere, her considerable talent is going to waste.
Marcel McCalla's Kev is pivotal. We care about this man and McCalla brings us with him on his journey. A genuine warmth in his portrayal bridges the gap between play and us.
The whole is directed by Michael Buffong; his contribution is workmanlike, but he misses chance after chance to lift the play above the average.
Tash: Seroca Davis
Zoe: Lauren Taylor
Nathan: Ben Brooks
Miss Jules: Kay Bridgeman
Ryan: Glenn Hodge
Jamal: Richie Campbell
Kev: Marcel McCalla
Angela: Ashley Madekwe
Director: Michael Buffong
Designer: Ruari Marchison
Choreographer: Kat
Fight Director: Renny Krupinski
Lighting Desigher: Malcolm Rippeth
Sound Designer: Al Ashford
Voice Coach: Claudette Williams
Assitant Director: Steve Marmion
2005-04-08 10:07:13