Preview: Labels, Wardrobe Theatre

Charting a childhood in 90s Devon, shifting political landscapes and global refugee crisis, Joe Sellman-Leava’s acclaimed solo show Labels, for Worklight Theatre, uses comedy, storytelling, spoken word, humour and honesty to offer a human story from multicultural Britain.

Trailing a string of awards (Scotsman Fringe First Award 2015; Best Theatre, Adelaide Fringe 2016; People’s Choice Award, Vault Festival 2017) in its wake, Labels has evolved during touring, responding to rapidly changing events such as a worsening refugee crisis, the EU referendum and the election of Donald Trump.

The show chronicles Joe’s upbringing in rural Devon as a boy of mixed-heritage growing up in the 90s and the bridges and barriers formed between him and his peers. “Labels compares my own, and my Dad’s, childhood experiences to the plight of refugees globally, against the backdrop of anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric,” Joe explains. “I’m not suggesting that my encounters with racism are equal to the unimaginable hardships faced by refugees around the world: I’m simply trying to highlight how the words we use for one another affect the way we treat one another – with dire consequences when this is taken to the extreme.”

Joe experienced bridges, as well as barriers, however. “Most people are capable of finding common ground, given the common humanity we all share, regardless of our differences. I’m happy to say that this has been my experience in the majority of cases, which is why the show focuses on some of this too – there are funny and uplifting moments as well as poignant and angry ones!”

How does Joe look back now on his childhood in 90s Devon? “My childhood was, for the most part, a very happy one, and my experiences of prejudice were mild in comparison to the things my Dad would have experienced in the 60s and 70s.”

He doesn’t put any problems he experienced down to being in a certain place at a certain time, either. “Ethnicity, culture, language and nationality remain controversial topics in Britain and globally, and it’s something we’ll continue to wrestle with as the world becomes more connected by technology. Added to that, you have the prejudice within all of us. Fear and curiosity are essential parts of human nature: the question is how we choose to react to them.”

Pic: Anna Bruce

The show, Joe explains, has storytelling at its heart. “It’s basically me talking to the audience as the narrator of my own (and my family’s) story. Mixed in are several other things: impressions of people like Donald Trump, David Starkey and Nigel Farage, placing the story in a certain context. The show begins with an extract from Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech. There’s also a fair amount of interaction with the audience – sticking labels on them, and inviting one of them up on stage to re-create a racist interaction I had on Tinder!”

Labels are clearly a key part of, um, Labels. “The show explores how certain labels affect the way we think about ourselves and others, and how that can translate into actions that might be harmful. In milder cases, this might be racially-motivated bullying, but in more extreme cases this can mean incarceration or deportation without trial, leaving boats crammed with people to sink, and even ethnic cleansing and genocide.

“I hope audiences might come away with some reflection on their own words and actions, and any positive changes they might make going forward. I’d also hope that people enjoy the story and laugh at the jokes!”

Labels is at the Wardrobe Theatre from Jan 30-Feb 3. For more info and to book tickets, visit thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/labels