Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 1 February 2025
Reviewed by Louise Ford
3***
Diversity Nirvana
The setting for this production of Coming to England is, of course, a good old fashioned analogue television. It’s the adaptation, by David Wood, of Floella Benjamin’s book about her and her family’s journey from the idyllic island of Trinidad to the, less than idyllic, Motherland, England. This production is directed by Denzel Wesley.
Whilst the story clearly references Floella’s success in children’s TV, championing children’s rights and her Parliamentary work. It doesn’t dwell on these amazing achievements. It is rather a story told from a child’s point of view of family and change. The production works perhaps best for children as it covers a lot of issues and historical events without labouring the points. It is rather a jumping off point for conversations and discussions. It is also a surprisingly short production at 1 hour 40 minutes including the interval. Which makes it ideal for schoolchildren. Having said that it is a great watch for adults too.
The story is roughly divided into three parts and is told from the perspective of Floella (Julene Robinson) who is on stage for nearly all of the production. She is in turn joyful, brave and naive.
Joyful is her family’s island home which is full of colour, music and love. She is one of six siblings born to the dapper Dardie (Charles Angiama) and loving Marmie (Maryla Abraham). This idyllic childhood is brought to an abrupt halt when Floella’s parents decide to take up the Motherland’s appeal to help rebuild the country’s greatness after the Second World War. Dardie and Marmie head off with the two youngest children.
Floella has to be brave as she endures this separation and the brutal treatment of the four remaining siblings at the hands of their foster parents.
After 15 months Floella’s parents have saved up enough money to pay for the children to sail to join the family in London.
There is a lovely musical vibe throughout the production and all of the cast have great singing voices. It is a joyful production which the audience really enjoyed. It was great to see a younger more culturally diverse audience.
As mentioned already the production is framed within a TV screen, the actual set design is quite minimal. An interconnecting set of two blocks are moved around to form the island home, the ship and the flat. The addition of a few props helps to augment the stage. As the story is told from a child’s point of view, Floella and her siblings are for most of the production dressed as children. They wear fancy frocks, ankle socks, t-bar shoes for the girls and shorts, shirts and sandals for the boys. The clever use of colours highlights the differences between the island and England.
Floella naively imagines that the family will be welcomed by the Motherland and live in luxury and comfort. Floella is confronted with cold weather, grey skies, drab clothes and racist comments and messages . However under Mamie’s guidance and loving care the young Floella is urged to turn away from anger and violence and to embrace positivity and love.
As Marmie wisely counsels Floella, winners are always smiling.