Mika Onyx Johnson’s single-hander, debut play is loud, unabashed and crude in all the right ways; an autobiographical play which explores the intricacies of sex and dating as a Black trans man, portrayed to the audience through shameless comedy and performance.
Pink Lemonade is an account of Johnson’s experiences in the dating world, post-transition; from catching deadly “straight woman-itis” to getting sucked into the white queer vortex of fetishisation. It’s a story of finding self, losing self and returning to an expression of self, which is most authentic and true to you – no matter how much it’s repelled by the world around you, or the attempts to box you into a neat, palatable identity. Mika really said, in a loud queer voice: when life gives you lemons, make pink lemonade.
The theatre is cosy and intimate, and the audience is sat around a playful pink plush set, emulating the sexual element of the play. Mika appears from a back entrance and immediately begins dancing seductively around the room, making love to the smooth pink furniture while the room erupts in giggles. Throughout the performance, Mika takes us on their journey through the gender binary, speaking to us honestly about their experiences, dating as a “transdem”, who often gets misgendered, abused and treated as half man/half woman, but never fully appreciated for who they really are.
Not only is the script written superbly, the performance is accompanied by spoken word pieces and original raps and beats, with Mika using the stage, lighting and props to carry the performance through the story in a way that stimulates all the senses.
For a debut play, Mika’s performance is impressive. The lack of subtlety at points in the play, however, can lead to a facile and “preachy” approach to issues pertaining to race and gender. This pushes audiences to have more nuanced conversations about these very intricate and layered topics, to ensure we’re making proactive moves towards radical love for one another, and moving away from ‘woke’ box-ticking.
Name of Production: Pink Lemonade
Year of Production: 2021
Venue: Bush Theatre
Writer: Mika Onyx Johnson
Performed by: Mika Onyx Johnson
Director: Emily Aboud
Producer: Char Boden
Sound Design: Rebekah Alero
Assistant Sound Design: Francis Botu
Lighting Design: Martha Godfrey
Stage Manager: Naomi Denny
Stage Manager and Marketing Officer: Hosanna Johnson
Movement Consultant: Dwayne Barnaby
Designer: Rūta Irbīte
Music and Production: Juga-Naut
Production Manager: Marco Savo
Outside Eye: Rachael Young
Dramaturg: Yaz Zadeh
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