Review: The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, Southbank Centre

Review: The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, Southbank Centre

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A mesmerising celebration of the queer experience which is both provocative and poignant.

Firstly, don’t be put off the title. This amazing production by Factory International is based on the 1977 book of the same name by Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta. It is an historical reimagining through an LGBTQIA+ lens. When I was growing up, faggot was used as a slur, along with queer, but these terms have been reclaimed and used to celebrate the uniqueness of LGBTQIA+ culture and identity. This theatrical fantasy, retold by composer Philip Venables and director Ted Huffman, picks up that theme and runs with it through a kaleidoscopic mix of spoken word, songs, music, dance and spectacle.

From the haunting voice of Mariamielle Lamagat at the beginning to the rather melancholic ending, this was live theatre at it’s very best. We’re taken on a 90-minute journey into a world of myths and fables inhabited by faggots, fairies, queens, women and ‘the men’– passing through millennia and three revolutions that shadowed history in recognisable ways, with the sublime Kit Green as chief narrator. The beauty of the storytelling was that the audience could bring their lived experiences and understanding of history to the narrative, something I found captivating.

I was completely drawn in and experienced a range of emotions as we travelled together and laughed and sang: the fourth wall was knocked through and we joined the cast in song, thanks to the surtitles displayed above the stage (aka ‘middle-class karaoke’). The music, created by the whole cast using a variety of instruments (including lutes, a harpsichord, a piano, an accordion, flutes, a cello and many violins) added another voice to the performance which enchanted and thrilled the listener.

This mercurial performance was multi-faceted, with movement and dance as an important component. A large part of this was shown through superlative free dancer Yandass Ndlovu. Their piece, involving a pile of interconnected cloths, was particularly moving. For me, it encapsulated the sense of throwing off false identities and shame that so many queer people have placed upon them by society and ‘the men’. There were moments when one could hear only breath; powerful and impactful.

This production is part of the Autumn/Winter programme of the Southbank Centre under the Artistic Director Mark Ball. He says, “…I’m delighted we’re making a renewed commitment to again being at the centre of live performance in the capital by commissioning and presenting some of the world’s most influential and exciting artists and performance makers…..melding together dance, music and live art to offer unique experiences for audience.”

I am completely convinced that Ball’s intentions are achieved by this talented cast — creating an ethereal, magical, humourous and inclusive experience. I look forward to many more at the Southbank Centre.

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Cast: Kerry Bursey, Jacob Garside, Kit Green, Conor Cricmanis, Deepa Johnny, Mariamielle Lamagat, Eric Lamb, Themba Mvula, Yshani Perinpanayagam, Meriel Price, Collin Shay, Dan Shelvey, Joy Smith, Sally Swanson, Yandass Ndlovu

Music: Philip Venables

Direction and Text: Ted Huffman

Music direction: Yshani Perinpanayagam

Choreography and Costume design: Theo Clinkard

Set design: Rosie Elnile

Lighting design: Bertrand Couderc

Sound design: Simon Hendry

Dramaturg: Scottee

Assistant director: Sonoko Kamimura

Associate music director: Trish Clowes

Fight director: Jonathan Waller

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions has finished its run at the Southbank Centre.

Further information and bookings for performances at the Southbank Centre can be found here.