Bristol Old Vic and online
Malaika Kegode embraces audiences with her warm, honest poetry, backed by musicians Jakabol – but her true-life tale quickly takes a dark turn
A sense of homeliness pervades this tremendous poetic drama by Malaika Kegode. It’s in the rugs and lampshades of Rebecca Wood’s set. It’s in the way animator Christopher Harrisson sketches himself waving to the audience. And it’s in the interval drinks brewed by Left Handed Giant, whose employees include onstage guitarist Joe Williams.
Above all, it’s in Kegode’s welcoming cheer. As a performer, she is open and guileless, lacking actorly pretence and willing to be vulnerable as she tells her true-life tale in Jenny Davies’s free-flowing production. Playing off the musicians of Jakabol, who gamely take on speaking parts, she is compelling in her plain-speaking honesty.
Related: And Breathe… review – powerful tale of family grief is poetry in motion
Outlier is at Bristol Old Vic until 26 June, and will be livestreamed on 25 June.
Continue reading...