|
|
| Programme |
Deli runs a small cafe and caribbean food takeaway in Hackney. He makes just enough to get by but his main concern is keeping his son Ashley away from the criminal gangs that dominate the area. His friend Digger is a yardie who conducts his 'business' from Deli's cafe. Despite warnings that he is scaring away business Deli accepts Diggers presence because he pays his way and keeps the 'protection' gangs at bay. There is tragedy when Deli's brother is murdered just before his release from prison, then his miscreant father turns up many years after abondoning his wife and young child.
But life takes a turn for the better when Deli employs Anastasia to work in the cafe. Romance blooms and Anastasia is the driving force behind Deli's ambitions to take his business upmarket. Amid this upturn in his own fortunes however, Deli has failed to notice his son has been seduced by the Yardie lifestyle of fast cars and a bulging wallet. Digger, no longer at the cafe, retaliates by recruiting Ashley and getting him involved in a murder. Deli's life falls apart, his father drives Anastasia away and Deli is forced to give evidence against Digger to the police in an effort to save his son. But before the police can arrest him, Digger comes seeking revenge in an explosive ending.
Kwame, once known as Ian Roberts (which he now considers his slave name) named the cafe in his play after an infamous slave fort in Ghana. It is the scene for a domestic drama that revolves around a man and his troubled relationships with his father and his own son, whilst also exploring the bigger issues of race, violence and criminality. With this production Kwame, already an accomplished actor and singer, has shown that he is a playwright of no mean ability also. The action rolls on apace and the dialogue, whilst at times difficult to follow for ears not attuned to Yardie speak, is both witty and hard-hitting.
Kwame Kwei-Armah was perfectly cast as the 'hero' of his own peice but the best overall performance has to be credited to Shaun Parkes as Digger. His lines were delivered with a rich Jamaican patois (difficult at times at least for my ears) and he exuded a quiet air of subdued menace that was so perfect for the part. Dona Croll as Anastasia, the sole female presence, played the part with a sense of joy that warmed the whole production whilst her lilting accent was a joy to the ears. Young actor Michael Obiora turned in a creditable performance if somewhat stilted performance as Ashley whilst old stagers Don Warrington (Rising Damp) and Oscar James (Eastenders) were excellent as Clifton and Baygee respectively.
Surely a modern classic. Give up your day job Kwame, writing is your true vocation.