Curve Theatre, Leicester – until 13 July 2019
Reviewed by Boo Wakefield
5*****
This musical version of The Color Purple, written by Alice Walker back in 1982, has been brought to the stage with simplicity, passion and ultimately joy. The music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, telling the story that spans over 40 years of Celie’s life of abuse and heartache convey it cleverly but succinctly. The set, designed by Alex Lowde, is simple but very effective with two openings appearing through a wooden slated backdrop allowing different rooms to slide in and out. Joshua Pharo’s projections of nature onto the wooden slats give you both the darkness at the beginning of Celie’s story and then the light towards the end with increasing use of colour.
It is a play of two halves with the first act telling how horrific Celie’s early life was with her illegitimate children by her stepfather being taken away, being made to marry the over-powering and equally abusive Mister so that she could look after his unruly children but also to protect her younger sister Nettie from the same fate. It is only at the end of the first half that her spirits and whole demina rise when she meets Shug Avery, a singer who Celie falls in love with. Gradually Celie begins to realise that there is a way out and moves to Memphis with Shug, cursing Mister on her departure. Whether it is the curse or not, Mister falls on hard times and gradually begins to see how appalling he was and starts to make amends. Celie inherits her old home and store when her stepfather dies and Shug encourages her to go back and make a go of running the store, which is a success. Mister comes to terms with the fact that he actually loves Celie and manages to arrange for Nettie and Celie’s two children, who have been brought up by the Preacher and his wife with whom Nettie went to Africa with, to come home giving the emotional crescendo to what was a dark, disturbing story.
The bigger numbers (The Color Purple, In Miss Celie’s Pants and Africa) choreographed by Mark Smith with Alex Parker as Musical Director, were full of energy and joy with every member of the cast giving their all.
The outstanding T’Shan Williams played Celie with such passion in both poise and song but so much more. She plays down her singing during the time of abuse with restraint, which must have been difficult to do but then grows and blossoms towards the end of the show, filling the stage on her own with an amazingly moving performance of I’m Here which brought the house down. Danielle Fiamanya (Nettie) has the prefect voice to compliment Williams during their sister songs. Joanne Francis as Shug Avery portrays a strong, independent woman with style and had everyone tapping their feet during her song Push Da Button. Sophia, played by Karen Mavundukure, was a wonderful character who could not be kept down for long and added plenty of humour. The three church-going friends Jarene (Landi Oshinowo), Darlene (Rosemary Annabella Nkruman and Doris (Danielle Kassarate), who are also the town’s gossips time and again added humour and comic timing between the larger numbers and were a joy.
Watching this performance was emotionally exhausting, even teary eyed, with the songs giving you goosebumps from start to finish. The standing ovation was more than well deserved and it is a “must see” for any theatre lover!
There is a constant undertone of references to church beliefs throughout the play, the original book being based on a series of letters from Celie to God.