Evaluation: No Extra Mr Good Man, Broadway Theatre Catford
That is the story of a person beneath strain. His fiancée needs the right ‘Insta wedding ceremony’, his line supervisor needs him to interview for senior management, a file label needs him to suit right into a field they’ve labelled ‘a mixture of Central Cee and Craig David’ and his father in legislation, properly he’s continuously harassing him for the marriage dowry to purchase a cow for his or her household in Nigeria, all while calling him the unsuitable identify and demanding to know why he hasn’t but been promoted. Feels like a strain cooker? It’s. Nevertheless, regardless of the intense…
Ranking
100
Unmissable!
Thought upsetting, important viewing.
That is the story of a person beneath strain. His fiancée needs the right ‘Insta wedding ceremony’, his line supervisor needs him to interview for senior management, a file label needs him to suit right into a field they’ve labelled ‘a mixture of Central Cee and Craig David’ and his father in legislation, properly he’s continuously harassing him for the marriage dowry to purchase a cow for his or her household in Nigeria, all while calling him the unsuitable identify and demanding to know why he hasn’t but been promoted. Feels like a strain cooker? It’s. Nevertheless, regardless of the intense themes of this play, there’s additionally lightness, humour and pleasure dropped at the stage by it’s extremely gifted author, composer and performer Cal-I Jonel.
Jonel performs Keloughn Douglas, a British-Caribbean music instructor balancing many conflicting priorities while additionally attempting to keep up, and at occasions, discover, a way of self. Set within the intimate venue of the Studio on the Broadway Theatre in Catford, this piece of confessional ‘gig-theatre’ is a charming 70 minutes of music, spoken phrase, rap, performing and a grasp class in multi-rolling. It’s straightforward to overlook that Jonel is enjoying a number of totally different characters as he seamlessly switches between them, his voice and physicality altering immediately to create characters comparable to the pinnacle instructor, work nemesis Becky, and the scholars in his lessons. The ultimate scene wherein Jonel takes on the characters of Keloughn, his line supervisor Cliff and the pinnacle instructor is breathtaking, and fantastically aided by the great lighting design of Joshie Harriette.
The play addresses the microaggressions that Keloughn faces as a black educator, in addition to the emotional toll of code switching round his colleagues, caring for his college students and dwelling as much as familial expectations. The individuals round Keloughn select to not see or hear him as his actual self, as a substitute desirous to mould him to suit their wants.
The present options an outrageously gifted reside band (Hannah Ledwidge on drum package and Terry Smiles on bass guitar and keys) who collaborate with Jonel in his efficiency. There are a number of authentic songs on this piece, certainly one of which Cheesecake and Wine is accessible on music streaming platforms now and is properly price a hear. This track sums up the stability of humour and weight of the play and brings to the viewers a common analogy of experiencing life by having fun with the starter and predominant first and never simply skipping to the dessert.
There are some factors wherein the band overpower the vocals, making it tough to listen to the vocals however usually the stability is nice. The stage design, arrange as if it had been a front room, matches the efficiency properly however it’s the lighting design that basically stands out.
The play ends with a query in track kind: ‘The place will we go from right here?’. It’s a query not only for Keloughn however for society normally and it definitely stirs up dialogue for the viewers as they depart the theatre. It is a improbable present and completely important viewing. For those who can’t catch it in Catford, I might completely advocate attempting to get a ticket for the regional tour. I’ve little question that this present has a life past this present tour, and I look ahead to seeing it once more when it inevitably comes again to London.
Written and composed by: Cal-I Jonel Directed by: TD Moyo Advisor Composer: Rennell Shaw Musical Route and co-composed by: Hannah Ledwidge Lighting Design by: Joshie Harriette Set and Costume Design by: Caitlin Mawhinney Motion Route by: Mateus Daniel Sound Design by: Khalid Madovi Produced by: Sarah Verghese for Nouveau Riche
No Extra Mr Good Man performs at Broadway Theatre Catford till 16 March, additional info and bookings obtainable right here. The present then excursions till 6 April to Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
