Post by showgirl on Feb 9, 2020 6:09:06 GMT
"A subversive comedy drama about imperialism, cross-racial adoption, cultural appropriation... and tea.
Brighton, 1862. A day in the life of Sarah, an African girl, adopted by Queen Victoria and raised in the Queen’s circles. Today is the eve of her having to return to Africa but will she go?
The Present. A day in the life of Sarah, a black middle-class woman staying in a Cheshire village with her husband and small child. They are paid a visit by well-meaning neighbours who have something to confess…
The two Sarahs meet Queen Victoria for tea. This won’t be your regular tea party…"
Really surprising that no-one has started a thread about this brilliant and fascinating play, as I'm sure some here will have seen it or be due to. Recommended to those who can reach Stratford East in this, the final week of its run. It has already played in Coventry and deserves a far longer life and wider tour.
I'm never the best person to do justice to any aspect of a play, especially the ideas but there are plenty of positive reviews out there for anyone who wishes to look - including some with 4- or 5-star ratings, giving an indication that this is well worth seeing.
Running time is 2 h 25 though yesterday's matinee started late and over-ran, so allow for that possibility if going. If I had to compare this to anything else I'd seen recently I'd suggest a British version of Fairview (and great at delivering its message with humour), but though the final act also continues to push a point, it does so in a way I found easier to stick with.
Brighton, 1862. A day in the life of Sarah, an African girl, adopted by Queen Victoria and raised in the Queen’s circles. Today is the eve of her having to return to Africa but will she go?
The Present. A day in the life of Sarah, a black middle-class woman staying in a Cheshire village with her husband and small child. They are paid a visit by well-meaning neighbours who have something to confess…
The two Sarahs meet Queen Victoria for tea. This won’t be your regular tea party…"
Really surprising that no-one has started a thread about this brilliant and fascinating play, as I'm sure some here will have seen it or be due to. Recommended to those who can reach Stratford East in this, the final week of its run. It has already played in Coventry and deserves a far longer life and wider tour.
I'm never the best person to do justice to any aspect of a play, especially the ideas but there are plenty of positive reviews out there for anyone who wishes to look - including some with 4- or 5-star ratings, giving an indication that this is well worth seeing.
Running time is 2 h 25 though yesterday's matinee started late and over-ran, so allow for that possibility if going. If I had to compare this to anything else I'd seen recently I'd suggest a British version of Fairview (and great at delivering its message with humour), but though the final act also continues to push a point, it does so in a way I found easier to stick with.