Roy Williams: History
Especially commissioned as part of a series of new audio plays, this is an intelligent and well written piece by leading dramatist, Roy Williams OBE. His last work ‘Death of England ‘was recently a popular hit at the National Theatre on the Southbank. This piece follows the relationships of a black British family through a series of conversations set against events such as the Brixton riots in 1981. It presents a kaleidoscope portrait of the problems of being both British and black. It is told through a series of monologues and duologues intertwining the relationships within the family. Each national event serves as a touch point, making it perceptive and fascinating listening. As a born and bred East Londoner it was disappointing that this theatrical family history lesson could not have started back in the sixties. It seemed to this ancient reviewer that the events chosen were quite recent. Society seemed a lot more complex then with London struggling to rebuild after the war. There was the struggle to legalise homosexuality, access for women to the pill along with breaking class and race barriers. The sixties changed everything. However, what was clear, is that our prejudices and experiences have worsened in the twenty first century. What happened to our hopes for a better world as the midnight chimes heralded the year 2000? The global perspective in the final duologue, although a tad preachy, made it clear that we haven’t learned from the past.
The central performance by Cyril Nri as Neil glued the narrative together, with strong support from the rest of the cast. The sound and music design by Axel Kacoutie evoked each era well and the direction by Ben Occhipinti clear and direct. The voices were warm and real.
Whether this will work as a stage play is yet to be seen. As an English immigrant in Scotland, it came over as thought provoking and relevant. Hopefully, it will be premiered in Edinburgh although I am not sure it will court the Pitlochry coach parties well.
