Gentrification and displacement through the eyes of the youth
Having worked together from Red Pitch’s inception, writer Tyrell Williams and director Daniel Bailey bring representation of young black boys to a west end stage, writes Bella Christy.
After two majorly successful runs at The Bush Theatre, Red Pitch transfers to @sohoplace, bringing with it an incredible cast. Kedar Williams-Stiring (Sex Education), Emeka Sesay (The Power), and Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) have a magnetic rapport; they breathe energy into this play about ambition, friendship, and the inevitability of change.
Red Pitch follows three lively 16-year-old boys from the same estate with big goals of becoming professional footballers. The boys exude infectious energy, their performance fresh and playful. Red Pitch is original, significant, and hilariously quick-witted. Francis (Omz) calls it “a ‘think again’ piece for the people who have made assumptions about young black boys from ends”.
The play deals with themes of gentrification and displacement through the eyes of the youth. How does so-called ‘regeneration’ affect young people? We watch the boys grapple with this is their own way, talking parents and politics.
The boys’ youthful banter is fast-paced and comical. The audience was onside (pun intended) and cracking up no more than 30 seconds in. It seems there are two main things they like to discuss: football…and girls. While you didn’t need any football knowledge to follow along, the less youthful generation may struggle to keep up with the slang – but hey, maybe a new word will be learnt.
In the round staging was an expert choice. It emulated a stadium with its tiered levels, reaching up to the gods. In fact, you can draw a lot of similarities between theatre and football. Both ‘performances’, chanting and singing often involved, commonly two halves.
Physical theatre moments act as transitions, breaking up the more true-to-life scenes. The actors’ physicalities combined with UK rap music and skilful lighting is immersive and provides an insight into the boys’ dreams and aspirations. I also have to mention the dance scene: the boys can move! So much energy and the audience lapped it up.
The play also includes a half-decent fight scene – easier said than done – especially in the round. I often find I am underwhelmed by stage fights, or they are so bad that they’re funny. This one was done really well and nicely offset the humorous tone of the play.
Red Pitch is the best piece of theatre I have seen recently, I couldn’t recommend it more.
Soho Place, London, W1D 3BG until 4th May. Tickets from £25.
Booking: www.sohoplace.org – 0330 333 5963
