Comments on: Slaves to an empire state of mind http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/ Your guide to black culture and going out in London Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:46:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Elizabeth http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1124 Elizabeth Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:12:48 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1124 I thought the play was interesting and it left me thinking as good theatre should, but in some areas I found myself wondering whether it was just out to shock me rather than tell me a story. It seemed to meander a lot; characters revealed things sometimes a lot happened sometimes nothing happened and in that way it was very realistic but as a play, I think a few scenes could stand to be cut. There was too much going on institutional racism, interracial relationships, terrorism, paeodophillia, drug use, stop and search tactics, homosexuality, rape and of course slavery. I found the scene changes jarring at times, I just get into what's going and it looked as though something was going to happen then...change scene. The space was used very well with the two screens being able to symbolise the corridors of a large complex building with many wings, the gates of a prison yard and cramped cells. Overall a good first play but some serious editing needs to be done the next time round! I thought the play was interesting and it left me thinking as good theatre should, but in some areas I found myself wondering whether it was just out to shock me rather than tell me a story. It seemed to meander a lot; characters revealed things sometimes a lot happened sometimes nothing happened and in that way it was very realistic but as a play, I think a few scenes could stand to be cut. There was too much going on institutional racism, interracial relationships, terrorism, paeodophillia, drug use, stop and search tactics, homosexuality, rape and of course slavery.
I found the scene changes jarring at times, I just get into what’s going and it looked as though something was going to happen then…change scene.
The space was used very well with the two screens being able to symbolise the corridors of a large complex building with many wings, the gates of a prison yard and cramped cells. Overall a good first play but some serious editing needs to be done the next time round!

]]> By: La Colombe http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 La Colombe Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:41:52 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1121 I like the play. I thought it was powerful and original. The characters were interesting because they were all good and bad in some ways. The personal journey of the new officer merging with his personal issues was the strongest point of the play as far as I am concerned. I like the play. I thought it was powerful and original. The characters were interesting because they were all good and bad in some ways. The personal journey of the new officer merging with his personal issues was the strongest point of the play as far as I am concerned.

]]> By: Xiana http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Xiana Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:00:38 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1120 I thought the play was very cleverly written and performed. I particularly liked the simplicity of the set, two large cages and tables and chairs - and the way that they were used in the various scenes to carry across the theme of imprisonment. If I have any criticism it may be that some characters were not developed enough for us to feel any sympathy/empathy with them, lots of themes begun but not fully explored and one unnecessarily vulgar scene. I thought the play was very cleverly written and performed. I particularly liked the simplicity of the set, two large cages and tables and chairs – and the way that they were used in the various scenes to carry across the theme of imprisonment. If I have any criticism it may be that some characters were not developed enough for us to feel any sympathy/empathy with them, lots of themes begun but not fully explored and one unnecessarily vulgar scene.

]]> By: AD http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 AD Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:12:13 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1119 I found the play at bit too slow (or too long) but quite thought provoking. Sad account of life and racism issues within the prison services. I found the play at bit too slow (or too long) but quite thought provoking. Sad account of life and racism issues within the prison services.

]]> By: Angela http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1100 Angela Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:46:14 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1100 I agree with Alice that the performances were good and the atmosphere evocative. However, overall I thought that the play was over ambitious. Trying to cram in too many themes and not enough time to explore the characters. Hopefully he will have matured as a writer by the time he pens his next play. I agree with Alice that the performances were good and the atmosphere evocative.

However, overall I thought that the play was over ambitious. Trying to cram in too many themes and not enough time to explore the characters.

Hopefully he will have matured as a writer by the time he pens his next play.

]]> By: Sandra http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 Sandra Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:25:17 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1098 I enjoyed the play and it did give me plenty to think about. At times it was bit OTT and melodramatic, but as a fan of soap operas it's something I'm used to! I do think maybe too many issues were trying to be explored. For example the main character's wife drug addiction was never fully explored, but that's a minor quibble. I thought all the performances were very strong and I agree that the fact that this was happening above the pub was definitely an added bonus - I'd definitely go there again. I enjoyed the play and it did give me plenty to think about. At times it was bit OTT and melodramatic, but as a fan of soap operas it’s something I’m used to! I do think maybe too many issues were trying to be explored. For example the main character’s wife drug addiction was never fully explored, but that’s a minor quibble. I thought all the performances were very strong and I agree that the fact that this was happening above the pub was definitely an added bonus – I’d definitely go there again.

]]> By: Mikelle http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1091 Mikelle Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:41:05 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1091 Loved this play! Saw it twice...excellent review : ) Peace Loved this play! Saw it twice…excellent review : ) Peace

]]> By: Alice http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/slaves-to-an-empire-state-of-mind/7935/comment-page-1/#comment-1085 Alice Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:08:00 +0000 http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/?p=7935#comment-1085 We went to see Slaves with a large group of friends and it was interesting to see how much our opinions of the play differed. I could not say that I enjoyed it as the topic was really heavy (life in prison) but I was really impressed by the performances of the actors, in particular Scarlett Johnson as Melissa/Jessica and Cornell S. John as Reuben. Where the play was successful too was in creating a very claustrophobic atmosphere, that made you really feel like you were in prison. Rex Obano’s writing is promising; I particularly liked how he managed to include some very funny moments in a play that’s really dark. The fact that the theatre is located above a pub is a bonus, as it encourages people to linger on and discuss what they have just watched. We didn't stay in the pub, but we did discuss the play at length on our way home. It's the kind of play that stays with you and elicit a reaction. We went to see Slaves with a large group of friends and it was interesting to see how much our opinions of the play differed. I could not say that I enjoyed it as the topic was really heavy (life in prison) but I was really impressed by the performances of the actors, in particular Scarlett Johnson as Melissa/Jessica and Cornell S. John as Reuben. Where the play was successful too was in creating a very claustrophobic atmosphere, that made you really feel like you were in prison. Rex Obano’s writing is promising; I particularly liked how he managed to include some very funny moments in a play that’s really dark.

The fact that the theatre is located above a pub is a bonus, as it encourages people to linger on and discuss what they have just watched. We didn’t stay in the pub, but we did discuss the play at length on our way home. It’s the kind of play that stays with you and elicit a reaction.

]]>