My Father’s Fable @ Bush Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush, London
The best new play I’ve seen in ages. Great cast, great characters, compelling family-set plot, with some twists — and a heart-wrenching reveal!
Peace’s deceased father had a secret — he had another family and a son Bolu (Theo Ogundipe) in Nigeria. Peace only knows about this because her brother contacted her through social media and is now arriving for a short visit. What does Bolu really want? We see him snooping through her things at points. Can he be trusted? Is he, as everyone says, just after money and status? Or is there something deeper, as he says ‘he loves his life’ and doesn’t want to live in the UK permanently. Peace’s mum arrives, stays due to illness and watches the long-lost brother like a very suspicious hawk. She raises doubts about the connections Bolu seeks to make with Peace, as he been teaching her Yoruba, including a song, sharing culture. Suddenly she’s moving in permanently! Is her takeover of Peace’s life complete?
Meanwhile, Peace’s partner Roy just wants to be heard , to get his bedroom back — and for Peace for make a decision about their future. Peace is an oppressed though successful History teacher — feeling undermined by one student, a young black woman, in her class. Where will Peace’s questions about her own history take her?
Funny, thought-provoking, tender and kind, we really get to know all the characters. We’re very much within Roy and Peace’s house, with clever use of off stage to suggest upstairs, a garage and the street. Naturalistic playing and staging led us to really connect with all the cast, even those who may be villains — which gives us more of an emotional punch when the reveal comes!
Tiwa Lade plays Peace as a very uncertain young woman, overshadowed by her mother, loved by her partner Roy (Gabriel Akuwudike) is patient, exasperated, loving, focused and willing to give Bolu a chance. Favour (Rakie Ayola) has the best lines, injecting sharp comedy and slyness as she cleans the home as though it’s her own, makes the tea (and the rice) and ensures everything is done properly. Until her correct veneer begins to unravel. Revel in the moment where she calls Roy’ dear’ and brings him tea! Theo Ogundipe as Bolu plays a terrific part — overwhelmed, seeking, truthful. Under stress, he convincingly stammers, fighting with himself to speak his words out. Refreshingly these characters all have depth and the story was incredibly engaging.
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