ADITL ‘A Day in the Life’ – review
Camden People’s Theatre
I tell the children in my life, if you have something important to tell me use your words. When they are crying and whining ‘Use your words if you want me to hear you’, if they are angry and throwing tantrums ‘Use your words if you want me to hear you’. Akpore Uzoh the writer and performer in this one person show uses his words, movement, light and dark, sound and silence to ensure the audience sees, hears and most importantly feels his important message.
Akpore Uzoh the writer and performer in this one person show uses his words, movement, light and dark, sound and silence to ensure the audience sees, hears and most importantly feels his important message.
In ‘A Day In The Life’ or ADITL we follow the main character from an ordinary day in his ordinary world to the moment he gets stopped for ‘walking while being black.’ From this point his world is turned upside down and his life ripped from him as the unjust side of the criminal justice system comes into play. Uzoh’s production answers questions you didn’t know you wanted answers to. Gives you an insight into what life can be like for people who have black or brown skin living in a society where institutional racism, prejudice and a system that supports and propagates stereotypes is the reality.
ADITL was at once uncomfortable watching, necessary and thought provoking while also funny and deeply engaging.
ADITL was at once uncomfortable watching, necessary and thought provoking while also funny and deeply engaging. I came away with the strong desire for everyone to see this play particularly schools and other societal institutions – mental health, social care, the education system generally and the public to watch and engage with the themes. To take a moment to experience a day in the life of those we are in a position of authority over or are meant to take responsibility for or even just a person on the street. For us to reflect on the hard questions like how much we are helping, hurting or closing our eyes to the challenges members of our shared society are facing.
Uzoh gives a strong beautiful performance, his agility is evident in his ability to take poetry, prose, movement, emotion and to keep the audience with him, sharing this journey, it is truly impressive. I very much look forward to seeing what 4orward Movement has next in store and what important societal issues they will be unpacking and holding up for us, the audience, to address and hopefully work towards improving in the future.
Info: ADITL is part of Camden Fringe and will be at the Camden People’s Theatre until Monday 7 August 2017. See listing / book tickets
