The best things I watched last week
Mostly theatre and a little bit of TV.
Temi Wilkey – Main Character Energy at Soho Theatre
For pure joy and laughter, Temi Wilkey’s Main Character Energy is a must-see. She kicks things off with a childhood tale about having a hernia, hilariously attributing it to “carrying all the bitches” in her primary school play. It was her big moment until disaster struck: her surgery was scheduled on the same day as her stage debut. From that moment on, Wilkey keeps the energy high throughout and takes you on a rambunctious ride packed with chaos and lots of heart. It had me in giggling from start to finish and turned a shitty week into a rather magical one.
On until 15th March.
Alterations at the National Theatre
The first time I’ve seen a Guyanese person on stage (the Guyanese in me was screaming!), and what a joy it was. Taken from the archives and told from the perspective of the Windrush generation, this is the kind of theatre you want to experience with friends and family, who’ll roar with laughter and gasp at all the outrageous moments. The play follows Walter Halt over the course of 24 impossibly stressful hours as he takes on a near impossible job. As the night unfolds, his relationships, particularly with his wife, played by the phenomenal Cherelle Skeete (who stole the show) are pushed to breaking point. Directed by Lynette Linton and told with so much heart, it delves into how the need for survival can get in the way of nurturing the relationships that matter most.
On until April 5th.
Mo (Netflix)
I’m late to the party, but Mo is a must watch if you haven’t already. AND there’s not just one season there are two, so you’re in for a treat. Mo is a Palestinian-American comedy that follows Mo Najjar as he navigates a two-decade-long asylum request. I’m only a few episodes in, but what hits me most is the specificity of his jokes and storylines each one deeply rooted in lived experience, offering a rare, intimate glimpse into the reality of being undocumented in America. It feels especially poignant right now. But more than just a story of struggle, Mo is a celebration of Palestinian culture (which, of course, includes olive oil). And yes, be prepared to cry!
Will definitely check out Mo!
I saw Alterations on Monday - Cherrelle was an absolute legend, supremely gifted and engaging. Loved seeing a Guyanese story on stage (the entertainment landscape in the UK is generally dominated by Jamaican and Nigerian stories). The set was beautiful, the expanding shop an innovative touch.
However, I didn’t come out of the play energised or inspired and I didn’t really feel anything watching it either…The main character and his arc did nothing for me. The plot felt flat and didn’t seem to gather any momentum or climax…Maybe I missed something?
Or Maybe the themes of the play have been so explored that it didn’t feel new or adding to the conversation in any way. I would have loved to have learnt or seen more of the Guyanese culture in the play, especially as we don’t get to see this side of the black british experience.