Red Bus Londinium Life

Infused with 20 fabulous songs from Duke Ellington, Play On! at the Lyric Hammersmith reimagines Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in a 1940s Harlem jazz club. It is a thoroughly energetic and enjoyable show which, equally, does not shy away from exposing issues of race and sexism.

Play On! originally premiered in the US in 1996 and is brought to London audiences after a UK tour. Directed by Michael Buffong, it forms part of the Talawa Theatre Black Joy 2024 season and it is definitely a joyous celebration of black talent.

Songwriter Vy (Jarnéia Richard Noel at the show I saw) is trying to make her way as a songwriter but discovers that women are not regarded as capable, so poses as a man instead. The deceptive web deepens as she is entangled in the relationship between Lady Liv (the sultry and magnificent Koko Alexandra) and the Duke (a pouty and slightly formal Earl Gregory).

Ellington numbers are used to drive the story forward (with backing from an on-stage band) and with Hip Hop choreography from Kenrick H20 Sandy MBE creating excitement and verve.

The most uncomfortable part of Twelfth Night for me has always been the treatment of Malvolio (ok, he was a puritan bore, but it was just mean!). The Malvolio character here (Rev, Cameron Bernard Jones) has a substantially more satisfactory ending and even the teasing feels more affectionate. His performance of ‘I’m Beginning To See The Light’ is a high point of the show. Bernard Jones appears elastic and his comedic timing is hilarious.

The talented ensemble cast add to an exciting and enjoyable reinvention of this very old story. Highly recommended to blow away the winter blues.