This production serves as a testament to the strength of the Windrush generation
This is the third and final instalment of the successful Ryan Calais Cameron Season of curated new plays at the Broadway Theatre, Catford, writes Linda Emmanuel.
The story is set in 1973, South London, Peckham. It is winter, the miners are on strike, and it is the Three-Day Week electricity rationing in the UK.
Lights up: Irene (played by a captivating Julene Robinson) fresh from Jamaica, shivering in summer clothing in the damp, chilly British weather. She reminisces about a sunny Caribbean and how it compares to ‘this grey place!’. She looks around and asks, “Where the sun?”, bringing laughter from members of the Windrush era in the audience.
Her husband Everton (Emile John) excited to reunite with her after two years apart, brings her home and proudly gives a tour of the tired, cold bedsit in a house of multiple occupation. It has its own toilet, but the shower is shared, and the only telephone is the communal one in the hallway. The rent is just £2 per week, because of an agreement to assist his terminally ill Landlord, Mr Johnson. Irene’s dream of a new life in paradise deflates as she faces the reality of this tiny flat with the draughty window. Everton, sensing her disappointment, lovingly embraces her with the promise of breakfast in bed, to bring a smile to her face.
Irene is a purposeful, ambitious young woman seeking to improve their lives. She gives their home the much-needed feminine touch. And to support her husband, she signs up to a 3-week nurse training course, then begins work on the early shifts at Lewisham Hospital.
Everton is sensitively portrayed by Emile John as a man under pressure from racism that steals and destroys ambition. He’s ashamed of his book-binding factory job.
The landlord’s estranged son David (Dudley O’Shaughnessy) an aspiring musician, has moved into a room upstairs after reconciling with his dad. This change in circumstances highlights the conflicting needs of Everton, who is afraid of a rent rise, whilst David is jealous of his father’s bond with Everton.
Irene, without permission from Everton, gets David to repair the draughty window in their room. Everton becomes depressed and leaves Irene alone for some time with no word of his whereabouts. David uses this opportunity to pursue Irene, leading to an unlikely affair.
With love won and lost, joy and disappointments, this production serves as a testament to the strength of the Windrush generation in the face of hostility from a country facing its own challenges. It also highlights the resilience of the women who keep a hold of the dreams, hopes and aspirations for a better life under difficult circumstances.
Talented Kaleb D’Aguilar’s play is well observed with truthful characters and language that shares the enjoyable wordplay of the Jamaican lexicon.
On at Broadway Theatre, Catford, until 25th October 2026.
Booking: https://broadway.umbraco.prcht.co.uk/events/how-to-keep-warm-in-winter
