This was storytelling like I’ve never seen before
The Women of Llanrumney is a play set in 18th century colonial Jamaica and places Wales’s role in the transatlantic slave trade firmly in the spotlight. It tells a story of struggle and resilience shown through the lives of the enslaved women during that time in the midst of tribulations that spanned across generations.
Firstly, this powerhouse cast of women carry the narrative with charm strength, and vulnerability. The performances from Suzanne Packer as Annie, Shvorne Marks as Cerys, and Nina Roberts as Elisabeth were extraordinary. Each actress brought to life a woman trapped in her own desperate circumstances, yet very separate in her struggles. While the women take center stage, it’s important to acknowledge the work of Matthew Gravelle, who played three very different male characters. His versatility was brilliant as he shifted between the roles. It provided a counterpoint to the women’s experiences, especially that of the character Elisabeth.
The set design by Stella-Jane Odoemelam was nothing short of dazzling. The house presented as lavish and tropical and yet oppressive by its bright white colour. The costumes added to this as the clothes worn by plantation owner Elisabeth compared to Annie and Cerys captured the duality of colonial wealth that was built on the backs of years of slavery.
Azuka Oforka’s script did a great job of blending education with entertainment. She was able to unpack the brutal realities of slavery, ensuring that the historical context never gets lost amidst the drama. And still, there was a lightness and timing to the comedic moments that emerged throughout the play. Director Patricia Logue created a performance where you could clearly see her vision for the production. This was a well done piece of theatre that was very satisfying for me as a viewer.
What a story, what a show! I left wanting to do my own research into Wales’ involvement in the slave trade. And that just goes to show the impact plays with spectacular storytelling and touches of history can do.
The Women of Llanrumney runs at Stratford East until 12th April.