Review: In the Red and Brown Water, a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Ashley Walters, Ony Uhiara and Javone Prince in In the Red and Brown Water (c) Keith Pattinson
Set in San Pere, Louisiana, In the Red and Brown Water tells the story of Oya (Uniara) a young black woman who has a talent and love for running. When selected by the local athletics scout, she has to make the choice between following her dream and looking after her sick mother, Mama Moja (Andoh). Choosing the latter of the two, she is forced to stay in the projects. Thus enters Shango (Walters) who has a tongue as smooth as silk and knows how to use it. Also vying for her attention is Ogun (Prince), the hard working mechanic, who simply wants to love Oya and settle down. As the pair attempt to begin family life, Oya soon makes a shocking discovery; one that will have debilitating effects on not just her but also those around her.
The highlight of the piece is the script itself. Tarell Alvin McCraney is an accomplished and talented playwright who uses the device of having the characters say the stage directions aloud. He is also greatly influenced by Shakespeare and writes in verse. When asked why he says “Cause verse has a rhythm to it; it holds a meaning in itself. The thing that Shakespeare does well is that there is a rhythm to things”. Shakespeare’s influence is evident as the play’s dialogue is overflowing with modern imagery which is engaging and entertaining. The play is also multi-layered and can be read on different levels: which may require a second or third viewing. But this device, “[Is] not because I want audiences to keep on coming back” he jokes.
The cast in the play are fantastic, particularly rising star Ony Uhiara who gives an excellent performance as Oya; a role that she desired from the very beginning, “Tarell’s an amazing writer and it’s a beautiful story. I wanted to do it – badly!” she smiles. However, getting to grips with his unique style of writing did take some time, “It took a bit of getting used to. [I’ve done] plays where you have to talk to the audience directly, but the difference in talking to them and then saying you’re going to do something, then do it, took a while to get used to.”
Uhiara is supported by former So Solid Crew member Ashley Walters, who is well on his way to making a name for himself as a talented British actor. He plays the part of Shango well, although he also found the role challenging to begin with, “It’s different for me to a lot of the stuff I have done before, it’s been a challenge”, the laid-back actor exclaims. When asks how, he states that “the play is in water so you’re fighting against that, then obviously the American accent as well and basically just being in the round with no props…just an empty space that you have to fill”.
Here lies the only drawback of the production – the entire play is staged in 6 inches of water. At times this can be a distraction as the company of 10 are constantly moving around. However there are symbolic reasons to this unusual staging as described by the assistant director Patrice Etienne, “The water has many, many different meanings. The initial thought was for Oya’s state of mind. She can’t hold on to anything and you can’t actually hold on to water like you can with sand” the Hackney-born director explains. “Her mother slips through her fingers and dies, she can’t hold on to Shango and she can’t have a baby.”
However while the water can cause a disruption, it does not detract from the beauty of the play and more importantly the beauty of the writing. When Patrice was asked why he got on board the production he exclaims “I thought he was an amazing writer….He’s like Shakespeare, Shakespeare of the 21st century and I just thought he was amazing. He is just so poetic and magically. He’s a genius.” With two more of Tarell’s plays being staged in London this autumn one can’t help but agree with him.
In the Red and Brown Water
by Tarell Alvin McCraney
with Ony Uhiara, Javone Prince, Adjoa Andoh, Ashley Walters
The play ran at The Young Vic in October/November 2008
