Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse Borough Review
Max Runham and Tendai Sitima star in Brixton Calling. Photo by Danny Kaan
Written by Amelia for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Brixton Calling, a new play with live music inspired by the bestselling memoir ‘Live at the Brixton Academy’, is playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough. It’s based on Simon Parkes’ £1 coin, giving him a future that no one could’ve predicted, and a celebration of music that changed Britain’s industry landscape. Taking place just 15 minutes from where it all happened, this story poses interesting questions about how much our society has moved on from political and social injustice and has a banging set of live music to go alongside. We hear from The Clash, Chuck Berry, and other music legends throughout the piece, which only highlights the eras we find ourselves in and how much impact music has on the world.
The cast of just two actors never allows the space to feel empty and pours their souls into everything they do. Max Runham is a captivating lead and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for the full 90 minutes. He plays Simon with an integrity and honesty that makes it impossible not to root for him. The story seems crazy at the start, but when you come to realise his morals and values in life, you can see how he succeeded in what he set out to do. A story of defying the odds and not letting anyone get in your way is exactly what everyone needs right now.
Runham is joined by Tendai Humphrey Sitma, who plays Johnny Lawes and others, and he’s equally as charismatic. He plays each role with determination and grit and bounces off Runham as Simon impeccably well. His musical skills and comedic timing are just as brilliant as one another, and he builds a rapport with the audience in the small, intimate setting.
The lighting by Derek Anderson is certainly a standout of the piece. It enhances the themes of the piece and gives the setting an authentic atmosphere for where the story takes place. It identifies dark moments and highlights the times where history has been made, or progress has been achieved. I admire the use of such clever lighting in the small environment at Southwark Playhouse, and it’s definitely the best I’ve seen recently. The sound from Max Pappenheim also triumphs here, along with direction from Bronagh Lagan. The production is slick without being too structured and tackles difficult themes head on. Both actors have a strong sense of what they’re doing and who they are portraying which gives the story so much more power.
The story did not shy away from the challenges faced by each character and was not delicate in showing the discrimination and disrespect of many during the years at the Academy. This allows us to feel every aspect of the characters, their pain, their frustration, and disappointment in a world with people whose motives are to ruin the lives of others. But these hard moments serve to emphasise the impact the Academy had on not just the punk and reggae lovers, but the whole community, as it allowed everyone to come together for a common denominator. The outcasts, the abnormal ones, the weirdos; they all had a place to be free and to be seen, and it all took place in a derelict cinema sold for £1.
Brixton Calling is a revolutionary project that I hope goes on to have more life after this run, as it’s an imperative piece of theatre for so many of us. The comedy is tight, the music is brilliant, and the two actors are perfect for these roles. It is rare to be able to capture a story like this so well that the audience feels like their right there in every scene, but this is a story of redefining expectations after all.
Brixton Calling plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until the 16th of August.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
