After watching Alterations, the play currently lighting up the Lyttelton stage at the National Theatre, I couldn’t help but wonder how could such a brilliant piece work have been forgotten? Not seen in the UK since its original run in 1978, this revival justifies the National Theatre’s decision to delve into the Black Plays Archive which keeps a record of works by Black British, African and Caribbean playwrights that have been staged in Britain. This production breathes new life into Michael Abbensetts’s seminal play, reminding us of its enduring power.
Directed by Lynette Linton, Alterations masterfully weaves together themes of ambition, identity, and systemic challenges, issues just as relevant today as they were nearly half a century ago when this play was last staged in London.
Set in 1970s London, Alterations follows Walker Holt (Arinzé Kene), a Guyanese tailor renting a shop on fashionable Carnaby Street where he alters clothes for paying customers. However, he dreams of owning the premises and transforming it into his own bespoke tailoring business. To turn this ambition into reality, Walker takes on a high-stakes order from businessman Mr Nat (Colin Mace), agreeing to alter a large batch of trousers overnight to secure the funds needed to buy the shop.
As the night progresses and the pressure mounts, tensions begin to unravel, both in his work and with the people around him. His relationships with his more laid-back assistant Buster (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr), delivery driver Courtney (Raphel Famotibe), friend Horace (Karl Collins) and long-suffering wife Darlene (Cherrelle Skeete) becomes as frayed as the very fabric he is working on.
Arinzé Kene delivers a compelling performance as Walker Holt, portraying him as a man consumed by ambition yet blind to the personal cost of his relentless drive. Walker pushes his employees to their limits, showing little regard for their well-being as he races to complete the job. His neglect extends to his home life, where his wife Darlene shoulders the burden of caring for their sick daughter alone.
She has lost her job due to the excessive time off she’s taken because of the lack of support she has gotten from her husband. On top of all this, Walker is not only having an affair with another woman, but to the added dismay of his work colleagues, she is white. Walker should be thoroughly unlikeable, yet Kene’s charm and layered performance make Walker an undeniably magnetic presence. Despite his flaws, you can’t help but warm to him.
Cherrelle Skeete shines as Darlene, embodying both strength and resilience while asserting herself as a formidable and uncompromising partner. Her chemistry with Kene feels authentic, capturing the raw tensions and lingering affections of a couple navigating a troubled relationship. The supporting cast also adds depth to the production, each actor bringing a vivid authenticity to their role. Together, they enrich the portrayal of a community bound by shared experiences of racism, individual ambition, loyalty, and legacy.
Lynette Linton’s direction breathes new life into Alterations, staying true to Abbensetts’s original vision while ensuring it resonates with modern audiences. This is further enriched by the incorporation of additional material by Trish Cooke to deepen the play’s themes and character dynamics. Frankie Bradshaw’s set design is nothing short of extraordinary, meticulously recreating a 1970s tailor shop with stunning authenticity.
The cluttered workspace with garments hanging on rails, fabrics strewn about and an ever-growing pile of trousers waiting to be altered, perfectly captures the energy of a busy workshop. More than just a backdrop, the set becomes a visual representation of Walker’s mounting pressures as he becomes overwhelmed by his commitments.
Michael Abbensetts’s script, with contributions from Trish Cooke, offers an interesting exploration of the immigrant experience, ambition and the personal sacrifices that come with chasing success. The dialogue is sharp and authentic and the characters are well-developed. The writing balances comedy and drama well, weaving moments of lightness into the rising tensions. The play is filled with humour with plenty of laugh-out-loud funny moments, providing a refreshing contrast to its more serious themes.
Alterations at the National Theatre is a triumphant revival that reintroduces Michael Abbensetts’s work to modern theatre audiences, offering a vital opportunity to engage with an important piece of Black British theatre history. It is a powerful reminder of the diverse stories that shape and enrich the theatrical landscape, highlighting the importance of preserving and celebrating these narratives for future generations. An enjoyable production from start to finish, Alterations is an unmissable triumph.
Need to know: Alterations plays at the National Theatre until 5 April 2025
Related links
Full cast announced for Alterations
