Tones – A Hip Hop Opera by Gerel Falconer – review

I’ve never been fully invested in a show after the first three minutes, but that’s exactly what happened with Tones.  It’s touted as a Hip-Hop opera, and if opera is not your bag (as its not mine) you needn’t worry -there’s no operatic warbling …but like an opera, there is plenty of recitative drama, rich expression, and brilliant, emotional story telling.

Gerel Falconer writes and stars alone in this production, that sneaks a peek into the life story of Jerome -AKA The Professor, and is told entirely through rap.  We meet Jerome as a young child, stuck like glue to his posh best friend Henry and follow him all the way to drug experimentation and sexual experiences at university.

Through Falconer’s skill, we are introduced to his family and friends by a clever, seamless, lyrical monologue. We feel his school days, rap battles and feelings and its amazing.  Carrying a solo show is a huge task and Falconer somehow manages to keep us engaged and on the edge of our seats the whole way through. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster in the sense that you’ll find yourself laughing one minute and feeling sad the next.

Staged against a background of UK hip-hop and Grime composed by 3D Williams, You are right there with Jerome as he navigates class and colourism, in North West London; realising how ‘tones’ of skin and ‘tones’ of voice played huge roles in his life experience. An extremely intelligent and entertaining piece of work, this is a must-see. It’s a short run people, so grab yourself a ticket quickly cos you’ll kick yourself if you miss this one, it’s a good ‘un.

Need to know: Tones by Gerel Falconer plays at Brixton House until 9 Nov 2024 | See listing | access £10 tickets using TONESAFR for the Sat 9 Nov, 2.45p performance