Review: STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey, Brixton House

Brixton House is a lively community hub with two theatres (200/120 seats respectively); a welcoming bar; plenty of social space; and a vibrancy born of the creatives that inhabit its many practice rooms and performance spaces. We were entertained by beautiful acapella pieces from Brixton House Community Choir, perhaps the nicest way to wait for the house to open.

Theatre one is an inviting, well-ventilated space, with good rake and an intriguing set design (Miriam Nabarro) providing a DJ booth, oval elevated staging of a homely kitchen with wide screen projection arcing across the breadth of the space.

STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey, written by Mojisola Adebayo, tackles complex themes of ageing, queerness, FGM, intersexuality, abuse, infant death, and the complexities of power in relationships. The power of Afrofuturism is boldly depicted by Candice Purwin’s animated imagery, and by the spoken word narration of Global Majority history, cultural significance, and the Nommo (creatures both male and female, of land and sea, of scales and skin). These are consummately woven into the search for inner peace and understanding; the possibility of ‘Spexit’, ejecting immigrants into space; and a young girl’s dream to be the first female representative from her country in space.

African history from Mali’s Dogon people tells of the Nommo, inhabitants of Sirius B, transcending labels of gender and division, and existing in a harmonious fluidity. This is contrasted with the challenges of Earth, the perceptions of its people, doctrines of religion, politics, and bias, as Earthlings still seek to create a Star Trek reality and inhabit other planets and stars.

Debra Michaels is vivacious in her command of the stage, and her range of accents and characters, as she invites us into her inner space, thoughts, interactions and aspirations. Her longing for the company of her only son (Bradley Charles) is depicted through her interactions with a radio where he DJs for the late-night show. Charles commands the DJ booth, announcing tracks and blending tunes that sustain us through the complex storytelling and accompany the beautiful graphics. His performance background is evident in his effortless movement and engaging brief stage appearances.

The audience can be found sprawled on giant beanbags or on comfortable seating, enthralled by the ruminations, interactions and storytelling of Michaels. She is endearing in her depictions, from adult self, to young child, to another incandescent parent protecting her intersex child. Her versatility in expression, costume changes, and characters is largely carried by accent and expression, but occasionally embodied in posture and placement. Michaels draws the emotions of the audience in celebration of queerness, self-pleasure, friendship and empathy for the trauma of death, FGM and gender erasure. There are many moments of wit/humour: feeding Cat the fish with her husband’s ashes; a sensual laundromat rendezvous; and a concluding space-defying orgasm atop a washing machine. The compelling storytelling is enhanced with ambient lighting (Nao Nagai) that remains subtle and timely throughout. The projection with Purwin’s magical graphics is captivating and transitions harmoniously with the creative captions by Stephen Lloyd. Michaels is largely word perfect as the script journeys across the projection accompanied by the fast moving, evolving imagery.

It’s fitting that this eloquent and original play is exploring so many complex themes as so many political pressures constrain our world. If anything, as with life, the audience can seem, at times, overloaded with the many themes and stories that weave their way through a captivating 80-minute delivery. Adebayo is a powerful voice of Global Majority, intersectionality and inclusion – a joy to experience and leaving impactful impressions upon their audience. Captivating!

Written by: Mojisola Adebayo
Directed by: Gail Babb
Original direction by: Gail Babb and S. Ama Wray
Design by: Miriam Nabarro
Animation by: Candice Purwin
Lighting by: Nao Nagai
Musical Direction and DJ mixes by: Debo Adebayo

Stars plays at Brixton House until Saturday 28 June.