A bleak reminder of the reality of life for young women
Millennium Girls, Sophia Leonie’s début play, manages that difficult feat of capturing a specific snapshot in time while still resonating with contemporary audiences, writes Melina Block.
A vibrant soundtrack of UK garage classics provide the backdrop for this piece, which is filled with moments designed to make you laugh, cry, or dance along.
Spanning the late nineties to the turn of the millennium, we follow teenagers Chanel (Tamara Camacho), Jessica (Sophia Leonie) and Latisha (Unique Spencer) through the social hellscape of secondary school, questionable parties thrown by questionable men and life-shattering encounters.
The tender vulnerability of these young girls despite being conditioned to act and be treated as far older is a constant force of tension. I felt on edge, waiting for the moment that they were thrust out of the innocence of girlhood and forced to reckon with the dangers that seemed to always loom nearby. When it happens it is heartbreaking and disturbing. The unfairness and powerlessness of their situations are a bleak reminder of the reality of life for girls and young women – both back in the Nineties and now.
The all-female cast have great chemistry, expertly portraying the vicious arguments, emotional make-ups and fierce support that define early friendships. Unique Spencer is a real stand-out. Her bold attitude and wicked sense of humour are a hit with the audience, bringing heart to her tough character. Each character, though, is written and acted out with love, breathing life into a demographic that has, for too long, gone underrepresented or reduced to stereotypes.
Leonie’s writing in general is confident, fresh and relatable, offering a rarely seen but vital perspective. She navigates between the darkest of topics and moments of levity with ease, tackling taboo ideas and themes that many would be afraid of. She succeeds in discussing race, colourism, sexuality and consent in a way that feels informative but not preachy; refusing to shy away from sensitive subject matter while respecting the intelligence of her audience Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW9 8GL until 31st May.
Booking and full details: https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/
