This was a really interesting play and it was an excellent opportunity to reciprocate David & Rachel’s hospitality from a couple of month’s earlier:
Apart from the quintessentially US nature of the production and the left field approach to tackling racism through performance, it’s hard to see much similarity between the evenings.
Rebecca Gilman’s play was memorable through its “warts ‘n’ all” approach to anti-racism and political correctness on campus. Also memorable was a superb performance by Emma Fielding in the lead role. The supporting cast were also “Royal Court good”, as was Dominic Cooke’s directing.
Our friends David and Rachel found it interesting and we had plenty to discuss over grub after the play.
Our other friend, Michael Billington, gave it a very good review in the Guardian:
Article from 11 Jan 2001 The Guardian (London, Greater London, England)
Paul Taylor did not like the play, describing it as self-conrgratulatory white guilt in search of a play:
Article from 10 Jan 2001 The Independent (London, Greater London, England)
Nicholas de Jongh couldn’t put aside his issues with the play, describing it as mediocre and giving it the dreaded Standard blob:
Article from 10 Jan 2001 Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England)
Charles Spencer thought the play flawed yet intriguing and well worth seeing:
Article from 11 Jan 2001 The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England)
Suzannah Clapp gave it a very balanced review in The Observer, concluding that a play that makes you argue is a play worth seeing:
Article from 14 Jan 2001 The Observer (London, Greater London, England)