Breath-taking and culturally aware, Arinzé delivers an outstanding performance taking his audience on a lyrical journey through the pulsating heart and underground soul of inner city London.
Challenging so many ideals and narratives in today’s media surrounding the frustrations with the handling of Grenfell, the expectations of an artist, gentrification, race and social class. He presents something that is refreshing, relevant and vibrant. His performance was holistic and there was no doubt he gave everything to create what we saw on stage.
His lyrical ability to journey across grime, rock to hip hop, coupled with him playing numerous characters convincing all served its purpose and supported the message of freedom and equality I felt the play was all about.
His ability to merge the creative expectations of artists from managers and producers hit the nail on the head. Relating to those who know the process oh too very well, he poured out his frustrations in a choral voice that for me, spoke to some of my personal truths and experiences as a woman of colour in Film + TV.
His powerful skits and stories challenge the awkward place I often find myself in being socially responsible when I create, having to have just enough and not enough of ourselves for content to get green-lit or not offend communities. He blurs it all out in this splurge crying out to be heard, visible and present. One of the most profound moments in the play for me was MD and musician, Shiloh Coke’s monologue of what she’d like to see on screen pertaining to black women. A black woman cycling through a park. I’m not sure why, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. The desire for women and men of colour to break away from the stereotypes that have been endlessly told on screen for decades, this play was also about opening the forum to change the narrative.
All in all it was one of the most inspiring play’s I’ve seen in 2018. Misty is a heartfelt, socially challenging piece that is delivered with truth and authenticity from Arinzé. A masterpiece and a voice echoed by many of things we need to see changed. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the experience and would give it 4*An inventive blend of gig theatre, spoken word, live art and direct address, Misty confronts the assumptions and expectations underpinning the act of telling a story.
“Here is the city that we live in
Notice that the city that we live in is alive
Analyse our city and you’ll find that our city even has bodily features
Our city’s organs function like any living creature
Our city is a living creature
And if you’re wise enough, you’ll know not all of us are blood cells…
Some of us are viruses.”
Misty is directed by Bush Theatre Associate Director Omar Elerian (NASSIM, One Cold Dark Night, Islands) and will feature an original musical score performed live during the show.
MISTY
Written by and starring Arinze Kene
Directed by Omar Elerian
MD and Musician Adrian McLeod
MD and Musician Shiloh Coke
Set Design by Rajha Shakiry
Lighting Design by Jackie Shemesh
Video Design by Daniel Denton
Bush Theatre, London, UK
Credit and Copyright Helen Murray
