Arguably the most well-known exponent of Black British theatre for the past four decades, Talawa’s latest production is a double bill of short plays that will tour in Bristol and Nottingham following their recent run in Greater London. Talawa Firsts has plenty of humour, but behind the laughs lie astute observations about urban living – not just from a ‘Black’ perspective, but from ‘outsiders’ of every description.

Written and performed by Kareem Parkins-Brown, and directed by Philip J Morris, Bougie Lanre’s Boulangerie examines the hospitality industry from the perspective of a working class chef who also has ‘artistic interests’ outside of work. Most of his colleagues hail from outside the UK and there is a sense that behind the banter, the staff think of each other as their ‘family’ away from family ‘back home’. Throughout the play, much is spoken about the eccentric ‘Uncle Ahkmed’.

While this one-act-play isn’t didactic, it uses comedy to raise some serious points about the nature of work, ‘who is exploiting who’, gentrification and the quasi-spiritual relationship between food, desire, love and the alchemy of cooking.

Bougie Lanre’s Boulangerie is unapologetic in its world view and alludes to many culinary and cultural references that the ‘initiated’ will have no trouble recognising. Parkins-Brown’s protagonist (who is also called ‘Kareem’) has his own logic regarding what makes for acceptable customer service – a dash of ‘rudeness’ along with nonchalance to signify that one’s consummate skill in the kitchen negates the necessity to ‘fawn’ over customers. But it is the observations about Kareem’s ‘aunty’ who he sees returning from work from time to time, that reminds him of where society places her and himself in the scheme of things.

Before the show even began, Parkins-Brown was mingling with the audience, instantly building a rapport with them and setting the stage for the candid (if at times surreal) world of hospitality and Parkins-Brown’s acumen as a wordsmith.

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On the surface, Love in Gravitational Waves (which is written by playwright and hip-hop artist Testament and directed by Brigitte Adela) is a 21st century take on dating and the mixed messages that ensue from both parties. However, beyond the ‘will they, won’t they’ vibe of the principal characters, there lies many questions regarding being emotionally whole, ‘is there something wrong with me’, what make someone ‘good for you’, and showing that being Black and British doesn’t mean being assimilated into monolithic identity where one doesn’t possess personal traits and beliefs. Of course, divergence of opinions on certain topics are guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows…

Anyebe Godwin and Kamilah Shorey play Ishmael and Bronwyn respectively as the ‘star cross’d lovers’, who both don’t demonstrate the stereotypical behaviour and ‘achevements’ associated with being ‘Black’.

Bronwyn works as a ‘reseracher’ in Parliament and spends her days ‘facilitating’ support for Bills. But for anyone whose work and social circle all revolves around Westminster, they find themselves in a ‘bubble’, detached from ‘reality’ outside, to say nothing about being lonely. In contrast, Ishmael lives way outside London and works in ‘horticulture’. Compared to Bronwyn, he is ‘apolitical’, unfazed by the ‘razzamatazz’ of parliamentary lobbying. His tragic backstory grounds him and in many ways exactly what Bronwyn needs. For all of her worldliness though, will she consciously recognise that too?

Love in Gravitational Waves is inspired by over 40 interviews with people in London on the subject of love and dating. People who use various dating apps will recognise the different ones referenced in the show, which provide many moments of mirth. But beyond the levity and ‘awkward misunderstandings’, the play does ask the audience what they expect out of work, relationships and life, and what they will settle for.

© Michael Davis 2024

Talawa Firsts ran at Fairfield Halls from 11th – 18th May. It continues its tour at the Bristol Old Vic (29th May – 1st June) and Nottingham Playhouse (24th – 25th May).