A haunting retelling of an astonishing reality
Blackbox, written by the only tenured hip-hop professor in America, Rickerby Hinds, follows the true story of an enslaved US man, Henry ‘Box’ Brown. In 1849, Brown mailed himself to freedom from captivity, spending 27 hours inside a three foot box. Hinds’ show combines spoken word, escapism, hip-hop poetics, historical testimony, and stage illusion — and phenomenal performances by both cast members — to retell this story in a manner that feels deeply authentic and astonishing.
Both performers, Josiah Alpher as Brown and Jada Evelyn Ramsey as Spirit (who doubles as multiple characters throughout), are highlights of “Blackbox.” Their impressive range and enthralling talent captured attention from the very beginning of the piece to the end. Each trick performed by Alpher truly felt magical, and his skilled portrayal of Brown from childhood to adulthood was truly remarkable. Ramsey’s ability to so convincingly take on the roles of Brown’s mother, slaver, wife, brother, and pastor was sensational. Her role within the story is enormously important, and she must be recognised as a real powerhouse. The energy both performers possessed throughout was enchanting — Alpher and Brown received a standing ovation and it was not difficult to see why.
The only difficulty with “Blackbox” comes from its writing and the range of Brown’s life it attempts to cover. While several important moments came from the beginning of the play, it felt as though too much ground was covered in too little time. The audience were forced to grapple with the relentless pace of the show and its difficult text, most of which was written in time-accurate language, in only sixty minutes. Extending the run time of the show — or, alternatively, cutting it down and starting later in Brown’s life — may have alleviated some of the confusion that members of the audience were overheard talking about after the show.
Overall, “Blackbox” is a show that cannot and should not be missed. Henry Brown himself frequently performed in Edinburgh while alive: over one hundred and fifty years later, his story continues to inspire and be remembered. Hinds’ work should be heavily lauded as a unique and memorable performance, refusing to shy away from the vicious cruelties of slavery whilst capturing Henry in a brilliantly crafted tale.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Bellybutton, Underbelly, Cowgate
Dates: 5 — 30 August
Time (run): 12:40 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £15 (full price), £14 (concession)
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Content notes: Discussions and portrayal of racism, enslavement, and grief. Suitable for ages 14+.