Splintered is a joyful and heart-warming experience that manages to highlight both the fun and ‘colour’ of the Caribbean Carnival, addressing divisive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ peoples.
Emily Aboud’s direction invites the audience to enjoy a fun night of Carnival-inspired cabaret, providing a dynamic approach to the different stories of the LGBTQ+ Caribbean community through real-life vignettes. The production focuses on two storylines: Ruby (Vilanculo), who is juggling to come out to her mother, and best friends Shanice (Saint) and Serena (Faucher), only one in love with the other. Over the course of Aboud’s production the audience is witness to the consequences of homophobic attitudes within the Carribbean community, with Ruby’s mum being shocked and disappointed about her daughter’s sexuality and Shanice feeling isolated with her secret.
The three actors provide engaging and high-energy performances. The humour of this show is its backbone, providing relief to otherwise heavy topics – the passing of the moon cup being a particular favourite. The production’s standout storyline was Ruby’s, with a perfect balance of comedy, emotion, and song – with its Chicago references; this story was by far the most captivating. Aboud shows the audience how colonialism, religion, and dancehall music have impacted homosexuality laws and homophobic attitudes. As an audience, we are encouraged to ask, how does this community stay safe in a society that wishes to erase its existence?
Splintered is effervescent, every bit light-hearted and carefree, as it is impactful, informative, and touching. The narrative is at times interrupted by the overhead playing of the interviews, which is not accompanied by any action, thus making it feel disjointed. However, Aboud’s production excels in celebrating queerness ‘despite and in spite’ of the powers that be, reminding us how political Carnival was, and will remain, a way to dismantle and rebel against oppression. Splintered is a party, a community, and a space where you can be whoever you want, no matter who you are – everybody is welcome.
Name of Production | Splintered
Year of Production | 2022
Venue | Soho Theatre
Cast | Chanté Faucher, Melissa Saint, Alice Vilanculo
Writer | Emily Aboud
Director | Emily Aboud
Set & Costume | Hazel Low
Sound Designer | Annie May Fletcher
Lighting Designer | Laura Howard
Movement Director | Buntu Yello
Associate Designer | Pip Terry
Producer | Grace Dickson
| Check out more from Soho Theatre | Find out more about Lagahoo Productions| See more from Emily Aboud |
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