Kwame Kwei-Armah is back with his third play, ‘Statement Of Regret,’ for the National Theatre, after the success of Elmina’s Kitchen and Fix UP. A daring attempt to address the deep seated divisions that exists between Africans and Afro-Caribbeans, and politics becomes the tool of exposing the differences in these communities.
Kwaku Mackenzie is the founder and head of IBPR, a political think thank that raises awareness about issues which affects Africans and Afro-Caribbeans in the UK. However, the death of his father and the guilt he feels over his actions of not being there soon takes their toll on him and he hits the bottle. To make matters worse, his family home is in disarray with the arrival of his illegitimate child, and he has lost the confidence of those who work for him. Kwaku is a self condemned man whose decision making ability has become more impaired since his heavy drinking sessions.
This will prove costly when IBPR, under Kwaku’s direction takes a radical step in complete contradiction to everything it stands for; fighting for the equality of Africans and Afro-Caribbeans, decides to focus on Afro-Caribbeans only. Creating a disunited Black-British community, even the BNP wants him to speak at some of their events. However, the tensions goes beyond politics, they are also personal as the characters are forced to face up to the stark reality of their individual lives and the prejudices they carry within. Hidden away from the surface yet visible for all to see.
The stage is set for questions to be asked about the role of slavery for the frosty relationship that still exists between both communities. An argument based on ‘Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome’, and at the same time seeking to know how far we have come as a community and the amount of healing to be done before we can move on.
Laced with humour, “BPT – Black People’s Time”, and energetic dialogue and an outstanding performance from the cast. Don Warrington is superb in the lead role, as of Kwaku and Chu Omambala is brilliant as Idrissa Adebayo, the Oxbridge educated gay and intelligent research director. Who speaks his mind, ever so eloquently and effusively. Clifford Samuel is the office intern with a PHD, who gladly reminds everyone of his academic achievement.
While it would have been easier to be an outsider looking in on the action, Kwei-Armah's writing resonates with stories and incidents I have heard and witnessed in past times within my community as a person of African descent living in the UK. He has managed to touch a nerve that needs healing from all side.
A visceral piece of writing but losses its way in the second half of this production by giving in to the emotions that run high. Taking focus away from the compelling subject matter it started with. Nonetheless, ‘Statement Of Regret’ is a provocative take on a rather delicate issue which is still a taboo when raised in some quarters of the African and Afro-Caribbean communities.
Image:Keith Pattison
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