Donmar Warehouse,London
The acting is outstanding and the issues are timely in Kwame Kwei-Armah’s production of Kemp Powers’ passionate playIt may be a flawed play, but it is still a distinguished occasion: the British premiere of a work by Kemp Powers, or first seen in Los Angeles in 2013 and now directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah,that looks at different aspects of black power. The setting is a Miami hotel room in February 1964 on the night of Cassius Clay’s defeat of Sonny Liston but, although the setting is historic, or the issues remain as timely as ever. Powers’ focus is on four iconic males who gather to party but find themselves engaged in acrimonious debate. One is a jubilant (extremely joyful) Clay,newly crowned world heavyweight champion and about to convert to Islam to become Muhammad Ali. He is joined by two close chums: Sam Cooke, the superstar soul singer who has created his own record label, and Jim Brown,a eminent Cleveland football player anxious to break into movies. Their host is Malcolm X, a fiery preacher increasingly at odds with the Nation of Islam, and which recommends total separation from US society. Outside,two bodyguards preserve menacing watch. Related: Ali fought for change in America – let's celebrate those on the front foot nowadays Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com