Before we begin, I have 2 disclaimers:
- If you subscribe to any sort of phobic-ness, stop reading. This isn’t a safe space for you
- This review isn’t sponsored in any way, shape or form. I paid my good good money and enjoyed my evening so much I decided to write about it
Okay now that’s out the way, let’s get started!
Part-cabaret, part-theatre production, wholly ridiculous!
Last night I went to watch Splintered at Soho Theatre and it was amazing.
The show features 3 MCs who tell the stories of queer women in the Caribbean – including the age-old story of being in love with your straight best friend, a story I’ve heard many a time.
The writer, Emily Aboud, has managed to find the perfect balance of humour and relatability (I didn’t think that was a word but I didn’t get a red squiggly line so it must be).
For those who aren’t new to my blog, by now you must be well aware of my love for carnival – past and present. Splintered told the story of mas, and pointed out some important facts. The whole point of mas was rebellion, ridiculing colonialism and its atrocities. The slaves used it as a way to express their desires for freedom from the oppression of slavery, and by virtue, religion. And yet even as we continue to celebrate that freedom, *we* still uphold some of those oppressive views – homophobia. As the MCs repeatedly point out ‘carnival is gay as shxt’, so isn’t it absurd that homophobia seems to have a home there?
I don’t want to give too much away because I want you to go see it, but I do want to applaud Emily and her amazing cast for being true to our history. It is very easy to want to tone the story of colonialism down in order to not offend white people, but that wasn’t the case here. White audience members weren’t coddled but they also weren’t overly attacked. Either way, I was glad to be sitting there in my Black skin, merrily ‘mmhmming’ along.
Splintered is showing now until April 29, you can get your tickets here;
Also, check out Lagahoo Productions for more amazing Caribbean Theatre
Until next time,
Ri x
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