Review: In the Black, EdFringe

Occasionally, and I do mean very occasionally, you walk into a solo performance and the actor is already on stage, waiting to begin and there’s something intangible about them: a quiet confidence, and a calm presence that immediately puts you at ease. Quaz Degraft exuded just that this morning, charisma pouring from every pore, holding the space with effortless charm. And remarkably, the production more than delivered on that promising beginning.

Centre stage in a small black box theatre, Kofi (played by Degraft) is in a full orange jumpsuit, by which we infer he’s incarcerated, although for reasons unknown. A brilliant mathematician, he answers complex mental arithmetic questions called out by an unseen fellow prisoner.

Kofi introduces himself to the audience: of Ghanaian descent, raised in America, he is the son of a hard-working father who dreamed of becoming an accountant but settled for low-level jobs to support his family. Education was non-negotiable. Kofi’s father was determined he’d pass the CPA exams and forge a path of success. Kofi, however, had bigger dreams: he aimed to run Wall Street.

Removing his orange jumpsuit, Kofi begins his story, starting with his early life at home and his best friend. Expectations are set when he tells of a car theft, albeit accidently and briefly, (and it belonged to a friend!) but the consequences of young black boys being charged with car theft from an affluent neighbourhood are severe. They escape but expectations are set.

Having graduated well from Penn University, Kofi finds himself interviewing for a large investment firm. He has honed his smooth interview technique to a tee, gets the job, and progresses well. Mainly due to hard work. But a dilemma arises, and he sacrifices a close friend for a promotion. There are reasons, which are complicated, as such things are, but a personal dilemma arises.  

Clearly, I’m trying to avoid a plot spoiler but the reason he ends up in prison is not what you think it is and the beauty of this script is that it wrong-foots you, whilst eloquently articulating the difficulties young men, and particularly young men of colour, find themselves in. It is also a tale of family loyalties, and how their expectations can prove troublesome. 

Throughout Degraft moves seamlessly through real scenarios and the emotions that arise. He maintains an easy contact with the audience: sometimes scared, sometimes funny, sometimes frustrated: always genuine.

The lighting design deserves its own mention: simple yet effective, a series of backlights subtly shifting to match the mood, enhancing the action, such as when Kofi and a co-worker are in a karaoke bar.

This is the epitome of powerful storytelling: seemingly simple, but layered with nuance, conflict, and humanity. Told with grace, intelligence, and heart, and performed to perfection. Never easy.

Written by: Quaz Degraft

In The Black plays at EdFringe until Saturday 23 August.