STAMPING, SHOUTING AND SINGING HOME: till 18 October

Birmingham and Touring

TAMPING, SHOUTING AND SINGING HOME: Lisa Evans
mac and touring till 18 October
Tickets and Info: 0121 440 3838
Runs: 1h 20m, no interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 25 September 2003

Tragic stories add up to a life-affirming play in this warm production
Women suffering in slavery, a young woman left in the rain outside a restaurant because white people don't think she should be drinking coffee in their place, a young woman shot in a demonstration. How come a play based on these events is ultimately life-affirming? At the end of the day heart-warming? Lisa Evans in her play celebrates the lives of the people, doesn't shy away from the tragedies, but looks forwards (as the characters must have done) to better times. Her play, at times, may wear its heart too clearly on its sleeve, but the over-all effect is a performance that's engaging, moving and important.

Lizzie, a young black woman, looks back to her past, and in a series of snapshots tells the story of past and present oppression against black people in the US. A loose-knit series of scenes in which different time-lines move in parallel. The stories are unified by some lovely four-part singing from the company.

The whole is kept buoyant by Lizzie: Vicky Virgo creates a relaxed and warm relationship with her audience and injects welcome humour that always takes us by surprise. Talking of her story as a whole, she confides 'Dead folks pop in and out all the time.' Virgo creates a bond with us such that we care for her future.

Ivy Omere is Lizzie's sister Marguerite and her parallel, the slave Sojourner who, serving lemonade to her obnoxious white mistress, replaces sugar with salt. Omere moves easefully between feisty, funny and terribly moving (specially when she recounts her cup of coffee incident.)

These actors are skilled performers, yet director Rae McKen has created with them and her team the effect of naivete: the production has a simplicity that reaches out and touches us directly.

Mama/ Louella: Nikki Brown
Uncle Chrystal/ Joanne/ Teacher/ Preacher/ Heckler: Berri George
Marguerite/ Sojourner: Ivy Omere
Lizzie: Vicky Virgo

Director: Rae McKen
Designer: Jennie Cocking
Musical Director, Additional music, Arrangements: Paul Herbert
Lighting: Mick Diver

2003-09-26 11:28:37