In this gritty and vibrant two woman show Apphia Campbell and Tinashe Warikandwa transport the audience into a history lesson in perspective highlighting just how far a system will go to perpetuate the status quo.
After taking on the Edinburgh Fringe to great success in 2017, Apphia Campbell’s reimagined Through the Mud — previously named WOKE — has taken residence at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh with a limited run in collaboration with Stellar Quines. Complete with original music and captivating projections, the narrative follows the distinct, and yet tragically similar, experiences of Ambrosia and Assata, two women faced with the injustice of the American social and political system in the pursuit of freedom.
No one in fact can stop the explosion that is Apphia Campbell. Campbell shines through her portrayal of Assata Shakur in all her complex and nuanced humanity. From taking on a new name, to fleeing for her life, Campbell showcases a exhaustingly passionate talent for diving into the grit, humor, and sorrows of a woman fighting for what is right in spite of all odds. In beautiful contrast, Tinashe Warikandwa embodies the youthful Ambrosia as she grapples with the discovery and discomfort inherent in confronting the injustice of a broken and unfeeling system. Where Warikandwa really shines is through the sung portions of the piece, enchanting the audience with both new and old tunes that filled not only the audience with its power, but also spoke to the heart of everyone present.
Campbell and Warikandwa filled the stage so effectively in body and spirit there were moments it was hard to believe there were only two of them on the stage. Vocally they complimented each other very well and their energy from moment to moment was fresh and effective, as if they were performing every moment for the first time. The only complaint about the piece lies in its disorienting start which left me confused as to the “rules” of the narrative’s presentation. There were times when it was unclear if the generations were meant to be in conversation with one another or simply parallel to emphasize their similarity. It left a feeling of dis-ease and a lingering unsteadiness in the narrative structure which alienated the audience at times. For this reason, it was difficult to pin down if the piece knew, itself, what it was: theatrical, historical, or interdisciplinary performance art.
This hauntingly necessary narrative pained me to understand and connect with on many levels. It was challenging to witness the gravity of the deeply cyclical experiences played out over the course of the show. The true strength of the piece resided in the deep commitment to continue moving forward, a refusal to quit and remain silent. Overall, Through the Mud is not one to be missed; it is a whirlwind of emotions encapsulating whole generations of trauma and struggle. For that reason, it may be one of the most important performance pieces you ever engage with.