The Wrong They Knew, Rayne Theatre at Chickenshead Review
Written by Emily K-N for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are my own
Content warnings (taken from website): This production contains language that reflects racial attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the late 1950s. It also includes references to riot and physical violence, as well as a storyline involving domestic abuse and a fatal shooting. There are no graphic depictions of these events; scenes of violence mainly take place off stage or in darkness.
Chickenshed is known for championing inclusivity, creating bold, original productions, and breathing new life into existing ones. The Wrong They Knew is the company’s latest original production, echoing the racial attitudes and prejudices of the late 1950s, whilst being a powerful depiction of community, courage, and the fight for justice. During its creation, Directors Michael Bossisse and Bethany Hamlin have drawn on the contributions and ideas of a cast of 200 students, Alumni, and staff. A challenge, but one that Chickenshed has, historically, tackled well.
In the fictional area of Forest Hills, hostility and unrest reigns, with violent clashes and riots being a regular occurrence. The main plot centres around three young people - Jackson Sawcross, Diello Taylor and Theo Rookeley Junior. The latter two, being of mixed and black heritages, are forced to sit at the back of the classroom, whilst their white classmates, including Jackson, can sit freely. A stark reminder that children and young people were not immune from the prejudices of the time. Jackson’s little brother, Romy, and his friend, Zeeko, are also featured young people throughout, and we follow them all as they try to make sense of the chaos surrounding them in their community.
Using the term ‘featured young people’ feels wrong in the context of a Chickenshed production. Whilst there are clearly leading actors, every single young person in the company is given the chance to participate, when large group numbers become the focus. Full of energy, these numbers are, for me, what make Chickenshed’s productions memorable. In the case of The Wrong They Knew, the varying musical styles of the songs, everything from rock n roll to rap, complement the production well and allow for some wonderful dancing, both upbeat and sombre when the story dictates it. Such dazzling, high- energy segments sometimes mean the quieter, stripped back scenes seem a little slow in comparison.
A plotline clearly inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird, sees a young white girl, Madeline Awol, persuade a West Indian man, Theo Rookeley Senior, to come into her house to help her with various household jobs. Her abusive father gets wind of it and then accuses Theo of assault. This action at the end of Act 1 is accompanied by a chilling song ‘I Know a Young Lady’, based on the nursery rhyme ‘I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’. This is a definite musical highlight of the whole production, and this particular plotline showcases some of the best acting I have seen from the company.
Overall, this is an energised production with slick choreography, living up to Chickenshed’s reputation for creating bold, emotive work.
Plays until 28 March
★ ★ ★ ★
