Yvonne Arnaud , Guildford – until 15 October 2022
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
5*****
Award winning author Malorie Blackman’s story sadly remains as relevant now as when she wrote it over 20 years ago. Gladly it remains just as impactful. Writer Sabrina Mahfouz and Director Esther Richardson take the Romeo and Juliet story to another level, with a true to life presentation that the impact of prejudice and social injustice has universally. Its appeal to younger audiences does not diminish the complexity of the tale and amplifies the modern day reality that our present generation of young people are experiencing. Blackman and Richardson’s respect for their integrity is clear.
Effie Ansah (Sephy) and James Arden (Callum) are front and centre of the production, maintaining a profound intensity that holds you until the curtain comes down. The quick changes of scene are clearly delineated by the creative team, with lighting and scrims, however it is Ansah and Arden that duck out and straight back into different times and places with ease. The cast are a well-oiled machine, moving between scenes, smoothly and effortlessly, including moving the scenery!
Bringing racial segregation, capital punishment and systemic oppression within an insular community on to the stage, brings its challenges and must be incredibly hard for the cast who, no doubt, have some lived experience. All the characters were believable and embodied characteristics of people we all know, however uncomfortable that may be to admit.
The importance of this play to our young people can not be under rated. It gives the opportunity for an open and honest dialogue about love, hate and oppression, particularly between older and younger generations in our own close knit communities. A performance worth all the awards it has attracted.