An intimate tale of loss and discovery, isolation and connection
In search of the selfhood and pleasure stolen from her, Stars: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey, follows Mrs (Debra Michaels) on a journey of empowerment. Essentially a one-woman show – except for the brief narration and occasional appearance from her DJ son, Michael Manners (Bradley Charles) – Stars is an unashamedly bold spotlighting of voices that have long been silenced, writes Melina Block.
It is fitting that, until the end of the play, we simply know Michaels’ character as Mrs. No identity of her own, she has spent her whole life confined to her role as a wife or mother; her humanity and individuality stripped away because of her gender. Following the death of her abusive husband and her son leaving to start his own life, Mrs forms a tentative friendship with Maryam, a young Muslim girl on her estate. This, as well as a reunion with a woman she used to work with, sparks a flicker of hope for Mrs, who becomes intent on finding her own orgasm and freeing herself from decades of repression.
The deep-rooted trauma and fear surrounding sexuality and queerness that has clouded Mrs’ life is slowly unpicked, interwoven with tales of African mythology and folklore. Both heartbreaking and life-affirming, this show refuses to shy away from difficult, controversial topics. Sexual violence, female genital mutilation and conversion therapy are all discussed with empathy and understanding – both for these issues and the victims of them.
If it sounds like a heavy watch, then it is because it often can be. Some scenes left me reeling, as the audience are forced to confront some of the most disturbing experiences women face. But Michaels performs with such passion and unrelenting joy (not to mention talent; switching several different accents and characters with ease) that the overwhelming message seems to be one of resilience rather than despair.
Michaels is a great dramatic and comedic artist, injecting a rare subtlety and nuance to her performance. Charles’ DJing and the beautiful animations which light up the stage complement the show perfectly. It is undeniable that a lot of love – for theatre, women and the arts – went into Stars.
So, for an intimate tale of loss and discovery, isolation and connection, all underpinned by intelligent creativity, Stars is one odyssey worth following to the end.
Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8GL until 28 June 2025.
Booking and full details: https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/
