Theatre / the egg theatre royal bath
Review: Josephine, The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath
It’s always helpful to take a young person along when you review young people’s theatre. My 10 year old and I were lucky enough to enjoy Josephine together, at Theatre Royal Bath’s purpose built family venue, The Egg.
It’s a result of a partnership between the The Egg, Oxford Playhouse and Wales Millennium Theatre. They’ve commissioned this touring production from Holm Theatre, which will play in more than 25 venues between now and April, including a number of schools.
Let’s cut to the chase. My target audience sample of one told me repeatedly in a stage whisper throughout the show, “this is brilliant.” A day later, he started giggling in the middle of lunch, remembering and retelling the jokes – when I would let him.
is needed now More than ever
Why is it so good? Until now, he’d only heard of Baker referred to as ‘the singing spy’. But now, he’s surprised that she did so much – she was not only an entertainer, but also a spy and civil rights activist – and yet he knew so little. He now thinks that this might be because she was black, and especially because we hear so little about black women – either today or in history.
And this is something that writers Leona Allen and Jesse Briton have embraced. Race and gender are not the elephant in the room; who tells a story, when, why – and how stories are lost – are all questions up for examination.
The Egg Theatre – photo: Philip Vile
Directed by Jesse Briton, it’s full of great humour and jokes. Ebony Feare gives a heartwarming and full-bodied performance as Josephine. Sadi Masego as Marie and Daniel Kofi Wealthyland as Jack are a delight, playing various roles in the stories of Baker’s life. While there’s plenty of song and dance, there is also emotional reflection about society, family and our relationship to the future.
Special mention must go to the unnamed British Sign Language interpreter who’s also onstage throughout, and does a perfect job. The set, lights and music are all also pitch-perfect.
In short, this is a seamless small-scale touring show for families and schools. More than that – not only is it an important story that both educates and inspires, but it is also genuinely and consistently entertaining. And we are still giggling while we remember and reflect on Josephine Baker’s great and inspiring life.
Josephine is at The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath, November 5-8 and then touring in Autumn 2021–Spring 2022. It can be booked by schools (suitable for KS2 and KS3) and is accompanied by a free digital learning portal. To enquire, contact James Moore at Theatre Royal Bath.
Main photo: Paul Blakemore
Read more: Review: Blue/Orange, Theatre Royal Bath
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