Review: WITNESS, Theatre Peckham

The late Alex Wheatle bestowed his novella Witness into the capable hands of Suzann McLean and David Fielding, with the request to produce and stage a theatre adaptation for young people, to widen conversation and provide insights into some of the challenges they face.

McLean/Fielding are eminent custodians of this work, bringing detailed layers in their poignant production. Witness exposes the struggles of a group of young people consigned to the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU); a school comprising of smaller classes, increasing education accessibility for young people unable to attend mainstream schools due to personal circumstances, mental health challenges, medical conditions or for those excluded.  

The staging (Mariangela Mazzeo) establishes a trio of scenarios (home, school, street) which support nuanced layers of stressors and expectations, obligations and the exhaustion of conflicting roles and responsibilities. Timely lighting (Jahmiko Marshall) ensures we follow the cast, crisscrossing scenarios apace. The politics of each environment illustrate quagmires that create disquiet, fear and uncertainty. How does each young person navigate the rules of engagement in each situation? The puzzle of triple jeopardy requires each to balance emotional/mental wellbeing, within their assigned socio-economic status, in a society that has yet to see, value or appreciate all that they can offer. 

An anxious, medicated Rhona (McLean), struggles to maintain a consistent home, with a largely absent husband and hungry children. Meanwhile, Cornell (Albert Magashi), is our centred character; navigating obstacles, the traps of miscommunication, layered with invisible hurdles of emotion, expectation and the pressure to perform, to achieve – according to different rules in each situation. We witness him wrestle with ethics, morals, and the perceptions of language. The word ‘family’ is nuanced with biology, social constructs and street demands; overlaid with responsibility for his younger sister, Ange (Kayla-Mai Alvares). Among classmates, each navigates their emotional/mental health, medical requirements, neurodiversity and the conflicting needs to be seen and valued, yet safe.

Cornell joins with Ryan (Joe Flynn) and Bigger (Romeo Mika) in seeking to form their own crew culture, dominated by Ryan being a Sinclair: “Nobody messes with the Sinclairs.”As they try to steer their own lives in the shadows of completing school assignments, living up to legacy names (and criminal records) and building relationships, the power dynamics are evident. We are the voyeurs of these struggles to find meaning in a seemingly hopeless world. As Cornell explores family by birthright, friendships and street codes, he has to find his own morals in the glaring contradictions of keeping loved ones safe, whilst being seen to be strong; to belong. The classroom additionally allows the irrepressible Bootsy(India Wilson) to share humour, timing and power as she struts in/out of the space at will, to the despair of teacher, Mr Greaves (Jermaine Dominique).

In Witness as a novella, Wheatle accesses layers of responsibility and trauma faced by young people. In its staging, McLean/Fielding increase the calls to action – to listen to the fears and aspirations of young people, to create places of safety and respect that their time is now, and it’s so very different from the past, faster, more urgent, potentially fatal as they fight to survive childhood and emerge into adulthood. The use of current language, emphasis, posturing and pursuit of visibility and inclusion in every aspect of their lives is a burdensome imperative. 

The final performance in this run is dedicated to young people, allowing these contradictions to be aired and explored. It is hoped that funding will be realised to take the production across the UK, into every institution: it is a show for everyone, to learn, to share and to open conversations.

Written by Suzann McLean & David Fielding
Set and costume design by Mariangela Mazzeo
Lighting design by Jahmiko Marshall
Sound design by Elliot Popeau-George
Fight director: Kiel O’Shea
Assistant director: Melchizedek Oketch
Production Manager: Sarah Cowan

WITNESS has completed its current run as part of Peckham Fringe