Tolu and the ‘Back of the Bus Queens’ take the audience on a trip filled with 90s nostalgia, commemorating the experiences of young back girls in 90s London

Tolu, Debz, Reena and Tia are the ‘Back of the Bus Queens.’ In this impressive piece, they take us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, memorializing the experience of being a young black girl in South London in the 90s. This kaleidoscope of a play is full of song, dance, incredible athleticism, reminiscence, mind-blowing coordination, and overarchingly, astonishing performances. 

Writer and director dkfash did a phenomenal job coordinating this piece. Is Dat U Yh is beyond intricate and multifaceted, layering audio-visual details into the dialogue, movement that seems so natural it is incredible to know to it to be choreographed. Is Dat U Yh subverts expectations in every way it could. At no point is it possible to know what will happen next, but rest assured, it will be wonderful. The highs and lows of the characters’ lives are highlighted, jumping between space and time, physical theatre and monologues. The set pieces were transformed into an array of distinct places: the back of the bus, a park, various points throughout the city, a bedroom, and much more. Moreover, dkfash not only created characters that were specific and unique, but were simultaneously relatable. The actors were given the room to infuse their own experiences into that of the characters’ lives. 

The cast, made up of Adeola Yemitan, Antonia Layiwola, Rachael Ridley and Zakiyyah Deen, give astonishing performances. They move with lightning speed, physically exerting and exceptional amount of energy but somehow always remaining ready to launch into the next scene. The aspects physical theatre implemented were a remarkable feat to witness. They flow effortlessly between each other, zigzagging throughout the stage, not a fumble in sight. The exacting coordination of their dialogue made for scenes that moved quickly but kept you moving along with them. No matter how fast the pace, the audience was at no point left behind. The cast consistently kept us in mind, leading us down through the speedy road of 90s nostalgia. 

Sound designer Xana and lighting designer Jahmiko Marshall displayed excellent skill and creativity in their respective fields. Sound and lighting are an integral part of Is Dat U Yh, functioning as a piece of the narrative itself. It is sound and lighting that move the cast from one place to the next, that add colour to the stories. The minds of Tolu, Debz, Reena and Tia are rich and vibrant. Xana and Jahmiko Marshall’s work allowed for that vibrancy to be seen by all viewers. 

Is Dat U Yh leaves the audience laughing, cheering, screaming in delight, and maybe tearing up just a little bit.