A deeply rich revival of Pearl Cleage’s 1995 play, set against the dying days of the alluring Harlem Renaissance.

Artistic Director of Bush Theatre, Lynette Linton’s scrumptious staging follows a group of friends in bustling 1930’s Harlem, New York, pursuing their dreams and navigating hardships amidst the Great Depression and a blistering heatwave— all interlaced, with themes of reproductive rights and sexual freedom.

Sultry and enigmatic night club singer, Angel (London stage debut by Wiley – who audiences will recognise from ‘Orange is the New Black’ & ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’) is on the hunt for a flame but seems always to end up with the wrong guy; but it’s her flamboyant costume designer and flatmate Guy Jacobs (played skilfully by Giles Terera) that creates the electric chemistry between them and is the heart of the play, complete with perfect comedic timing and sharp wit – the friendship is heart-warming to watch.

Complimenting the narrative is Frankie Bradshaw’s gorgeous set comprises a revolving stage, designed as a two-storey apartment. Each apartment room is lit-up and revealed to the audience as the show progresses, which works well in presenting each character’s voice. Musical components are weaved through the production, cementing the creative explosion of the era – the lilting jazz, the dazzling sequins and the era-defining high-waist trousers. Despite taking place in the time of Prohibition, this booze-filled drama has everything: romance, laughter, sorrow, and a devastating tragedy.

This is a strong production that manages to orchestrate an intimate energy, and Linton’s interpretation is an homage to a spectacular piece of black cultural history that must be commended for its faithful representation of the Harlem renaissance.

Check out more from National Theatre| Find out more about Lynette Linton| Pearl Cleage | Samira Wiley
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