Award-winning drama tackles multiculturalism in UK
LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Immigration and identity, poverty and deprivation in multicultural Britain are the topical themes of "Gone too Far!" the first play by Bola Agbaje which has London critics abuzz with enthusiasm.
The play, which won an Olivier award for outstanding achievement earlier this year, opened in July at the Royal Court theatre, known for ground-breaking modern drama for half a century, and moved this month to the Hackney Empire in the heart of London's immigrant East End.
With frankness and humor, it tells the story of Yemi and Ikudayisi, two brothers of Nigerian origin who have grown up in different worlds. Yemi was raised on a London housing estate while Ikudayisi has spent most of his life in Nigeria.
When Ikudayisi arrives in London, their worlds collide. The play takes place outside Yemi's house, where he lives with his no-nonsense mother.
The drama tackles the conflicts between Yemi and his friends from different backgrounds and, using hard-hitting dialogue and strong body language, shows the tension between the brothers and their search for a place in society.
Nicholas de Jongh, veteran drama critic of London's Evening Standard newspaper, said the play was "a remarkable debut" and the city's listings magazine Time Out described it as "sparky, hugely promising and entertaining".
Agbaje, who was born in Britain and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria, says the play was intended to examine unresolved issues in British society.
"It's about what's it like to be young, black and British in today's society and the issues that young kids face and the problems and the stereotypes ... they face on a daily basis that a lot of people are not aware of, issues between skin tones and the debates that go on between cultures," she told Reuters.
CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
For many members of the cast, "Gone too Far" recalls childhood experiences.
Actor Tunji Lucas, who plays Ikudayisi, was born in Nigeria and moved to Britain as a young boy.
"Coming from another country, and growing up ... in a totally different world, you just don't know where you fit in, where is your slot," he said.
Tobi Bakare, who plays Yemi, was born in London to parents from Nigeria. He says he based the character on some of the youths in his neighborhood, the London borough of Hackney.
"With such characters as Yemi, me coming from Hackney, there's a lot of people like that, inside Hackney. Yemi is a very 'out' kid, street boy, stuff like that," he said.
"Gone too Far" also hints at the culture of knife crime in London, to which disaffected young men are in danger of being drawn. More than 15 youths have been stabbed to death in Britain this year.
The drama ends with the two brothers preparing for a family event with their mother. Yemi is seen changing his trademark hooded jacket for traditional African clothes, at first with confusion then with pride as he looks at himself in the mirror.
(editing by Andrew Dobbie)
