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With the perfect ratio of humour to sensitivity, freshly baked Sons is a powerful message of manhood and love hidden in an hour with incredibly charismatic Olugbeminiyi Bammodu.Summary
Rating
Excellent
We immediate love John, played by Olugbeminiyi Bammodu. Flour smeared across his face, looking genuinely pleased to see us, he greets every member of the audience with a menu for John’s Bakery. “Welcome, thanks for coming”, he says, as we walk into the Vaults’ Pit for Concept Theatre’s Sons. Flashing his cheeky grin from the stage he speaks to us with a kind of sincerity that made me think we were his mates. John’s partner is pregnant, and the show kicks off with the phone call that she has gone into labour. Panic!
Bammodu has written a dynamic script that shows John at his worst and allows him to become his best. Through a series of anecdotes from throughout his life, we see how John became the man he is now – the man who is currently sitting locked in a toilet, too afraid to go and see his child being born. Insightfully we are shown the different figures in his life that he has learned from, building up a complete and accurate picture of the man who we see on stage. The whole thing is cleverly formed to give a message of sensitivity and strength, that one day our sons will become the men, the husbands, the fathers who have their own sons, and we help them to become – whatever that man ends up being. This naturally leads to some emotional scenes, which are beautifully done.
The character of John is so loveable that we can’t help but be convinced by his every word and cling on to every story he tells us. Credit to this goes to Bammodu’s performance as much as his writing, and to Eleanor Holmes’ direction. It’s rare that I join in when we’re encouraged to shout along panto-style during a play (yes, I know, I’m that grumpy person) but I felt so compelled by Bammodu that I had to take part. There are several other actors involved during short voice clips, and they are all good additions, but – not to sound like a broken record – it is how Bammodu responds that keeps it alive.
It is kind of inconsequential that Sons is set in a bakery – it could be a number of different places, I think. But it does serve to make things feel warm and homely, with only the suggestion of something freshly baked. The simple set, designed by Stephen Pelling, effectively reminds us of the impending birth even when it is forgotten by John, and Jonathan Tyler-Moore’s subtle lighting helped Bammodu to bring John to life. Sons is a funny, charismatic, but sensitive play, where all the ingredients were mixed to just the right quantity and is presented to us fresh and toasty. A great addition to the VAULT festival.
Written by: Olugbeminiyi Bammodu
Directed by: Eleanor Holmes
Produced by: Ria Fay for Concept Theatre
Set by: Stephen Pelling
Lighting and sound by: Jonathan Tyler-Moore
Sons played as part of VAULT Festival 2023 and has completed its current run.
