Review: Black Box, Belly Button at Underbelly

Written and directed by Rickerby Hinds, Blackbox tells the story of Henry ‘Box’ Brown through gospel, song and magic. The play is based on a true story, where Brown, an enslaved man from Virginia, mailed himself to freedom in the 1800s. With a large wooden box in the centre of the stage as a constant reminder of what is to come, this production turns a remarkable historical escape into an intimate theatrical experience. 

Josiah Alpher plays Brown while Jada Evelyn Ramsey takes on the roles of his first wife, Nancy, his mother and a magician’s assistant. Each chapter of Brown’s life is anchored by a magic trick, which enhances the story. This is particularly effective in a scene about families being separated, where paper figures are ripped apart and then pieced back together.

In some scenes Ramsey sings in the background whilst Alpher performs a monologue. This works well except for when he is preaching a long sermon, as some of his words get lost. Although the sermon is the pinnacle of the play’s religious theme, faith is woven throughout the production. It raises questions about how Christian slave owners could reconcile their faith with slavery, leaving the hypocrisy weighing heavy in the air.

Ramsey wears a buttoned jacket reminiscent of a ringmaster’s, while Alpher wears a reversible waistcoat which allows him to quickly and swiftly switch between different periods of Brown’s life. Blackouts indicate a shift in time, but could be slicker. 

Both actors use the limited space of the Belly Button at Underbelly well. Ramsey is excellent with physical movement and almost dances around the stage. This, alongside the occasional rhymes in Ramsey’s speeches, adds a lyrical and dynamic quality to the production. Brown’s escape is squeezed in at the end of the hour long production and it would have been interesting to see more time dedicated to this pivotal moment.

This is nonetheless a remarkable insight into a true story, presented imaginatively. Where Blackbox really thrives is in making magic and storytelling reinforce one another. 

Written and directed by Rickerby Hinds

Blackbox plays at Underbelly, Cowgate until Sunday 30 August