Allegiance is a heartbreaking, hopeful, gorgeous show with clever staging, a fantastic cast, and an important piece of history to share.
Performing at The Charing Cross Theatre until the 8th April 2023.
Telling the story of the Japanese-Americans forced into internment camps during World War Two, Allegiance’s clever book and exciting, original songs highlight a devastating, true part of history that has been ignored for too long. Based on Takei’s own experiences, it uses a simple set and brilliant choreography to portray the divisiveness of ignorance and prejudice, and the hope found in community and family. The latter is beautifully portrayed through the four lead characters; Kei (played by Aynrand Ferrer), Tatsuo (Masashi Fujimoto), Sammy (Telly Leung), and Ojii-Chan (George Takei), forming the Kimura family. Their love for each other is shown through heartwarming and heartbreaking musical numbers including ‘Wishes on the Wind’ and ‘Gaman’. Leung and Takei’s strong acting is particularly impressive, and Ferrer and Leung’s stunning harmonies show the beautiful score and their vocal abilities.
Allegiance also depicts the contrasting ways to stand up for what you believe in and fight to protect those you love. This theme is explored through Sammy Kimura (Leung) and Frankie Suzuki (Patrick Munday). Their diametrically opposing views highlight the fractures caused by wartime propaganda, the idealistic rhetoric of sacrifice, and the forcing of individuals to declare allegiance to a country.
Stunning vocals are displayed by the entire ensemble, particularly from Aynrand Ferrer as Kei and Megan Gardiner as Hannah Campbell. Their journey from distrust to friendship is exciting to watch and demonstrates the ability of individuals to come together and realise what they have in common. ‘Stronger than before’ in the second act reiterates this theme and highlights these performers’ incredible vocal talent, whilst the act one closing number ‘Our Time Now’ allows the entire cast to come together in a powerful finale. Throughout this show the musical score is used to highlight the strength of communities to ‘gaman’, or, carry on in the face of adversity. The talented ensemble bring the spirit of community to the story and demonstrate the power of common resistance.
The set and costume design by Mayou Trikerioti uses minute detail to portray small acts of defiance. Takei as Ojii-Chan demonstrates the nuances and importance of culture and heritage when he hides a windchime behind an American flag, stating that it ‘looks American, but sounds Japanese’. Kei Kimura demonstrates similar resistance through costume design as she wears her ‘Loyalty Questionnaire’, designed to ascertain allegiance to Japan or America, in her hair as an origami flower. The band, led by Musical Director Beth Jerem, uses emotional and powerful music, and incorporates Japanese musical influences to tell this story whilst You-Ri Yamanaka acting as cultural consultant further enhances the audience’s viewing of the show as the production seeks to accurately represent what is for so many a part of their history.
This musical is about legacy and ensuring that future generations learn from the past. Generational differences and relationships are a key theme and force the audience to consider the way in which history is remembered. The use and manipulation of time, from present to past as Takei portrays both Ojii-Chan and Sam Kimura, is a clever way of demonstrating this and suggests the possibility of second chances, reconciliation and understanding as time passes. It is clear throughout who every character is at what stage of their life.
Allegiance is a fantastic and engaging piece of theatre. It brings an ongoing and relevant discussion, regarding viewing others as different and defining individuals based on one’s own prejudices and fear, to the West End. When writing about this show and his lifelong mission to tell the story of internment, George Takei said it was ‘so that we remember the lessons of history, and do not repeat our mistakes’. Allegiance demonstrates the importance of telling this story and is an incredibly moving musical that deserves to be seen by everyone to ensure we don’t forget and we continue to work for better.
- Book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione.
- Music and Lyrics by Jay Kuo.
- Original Orchestrations and Arrangements by Lynne Shankel.
- Direction and choreography by Tara Overfield Wilkinson.
- Musical Supervision and Orchestrations by Andrew Hilton and Charlie Ingles.
- Set and Costume design by Mayou Trikerioti.
- Lighting Design by Nic Farman.
- Sound design by Chris Whybrow.
- Casting by Sarah Leung CDG.
- Musical Direction by Beth Jerem.
- Associate Direction by Kirsty Malpass.
- Associate Choreography by Misa Koide.
- Cultural Consultation by You-ri Yamanaka