Stage Review THE GIFT at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Shannon Hayes as Sarah Davies and Donna Berlin as Aggie in The Gift - A co-production for stage by Eclipse Theatre and The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

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OVERVIEW


Fundamentally, before anything else, Janice Okoh has highlighted a fascinating truth, in the fact that Queen Victoria took under her wing an African child (Sarah/Sara) who went on to be raised in Royal circles.

A whole play’s worth of subject exploration as to how Sarah’s life might have been; with heaps of opportunity for Okoh to utilise her creative license; and this she most definitely does!

Okoh has written an amusing and enthralling tale with some surprises in regard to time, place, real people from history and made up characters. 

There are confusing complexities to get one's head around, which includes a second, Sarah and two James’s. For spoiler reasons no further explanation is given in this review in that regard.

In scenes African backstories and connections are discussed over tea and cake in shared company with white individuals who struggle to identify; however well-meaning. Elements of Nigeria’s colonial past and class and cultural divides are revealed through distorted viewpoints, loose chatter and prejudiced mindsets.

CAST

Shannon Hayes is 'the' Sarah...Sarah Davies, and though Hayes’s speech does not appear to be powered much by the diaphragm she has an expressive face and shows excellent pacing. Enjoy too, the comedy Rebecca Charles brings to the party, as Harriet.

Three cast members known to the reviewer from previous stage performances are: Dave Fishley (Of Mice and Men), Richard Teverson (Handbagged) and Joanna Brookes (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice).

Therefore, it is not a bad back that Dave Fishley’s character suffers with in this play, but a broken arm and stitches on the forehead when he plays the second James. This James is a victim of a racist attack it seems. Fishley plays the two James characters, and both are interesting to get to know; though Fishley plays second James with such feeling and hurt pride it leaves one thinking.

Richard Teverson, once again, presents two very, believable characters, namely
Reverend Venn and Ben, in this Eclipse Theatre and Belgrade Theatre co-production.



Joanna Brookes (Queen Victoria) - photograph by Ellie Kurttz


Joanna Brookes shows her versatility and the range of her talent, firstly as royal seeker/con-artist, Harriet Waller, and, after the interval break, a picture-perfect, Queen Victoria! A far cry from the daftness of character of Mari’s friend, Sadie (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice 2015).

On the subject of versatility, Donna Berlin’s performances is the pulse of this piece. As Aggie, the maid, she’s like a Victorian, Mrs Overall, and as the 'other' Sarah - we see a serious woman agonising over moral issues, while suppressing anger. An admirable performance!

CONCLUSION

Therefore, a strong cast indeed, working under the solid direction of Dawn Walton and designer input of Simon Kenny and the creative team, armed with a script which contains a sharpness in all it addresses and reveals under its witty surface. Mission accomplished by all involved.

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the press night performance of The Gift at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (B2) on Tuesday 21 January at 7pm

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