I've just seen the Custom/Practice production of 'As You Like It' at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre, directed by Rae Mcken. I emerged from the auditorium with a fully fatigued face after two and a half hours of intense grinning. Never compromising narrative clarity, Mcken's vivid directive choices are complimented by gutsy and imaginative performances from her cast. The lucid delivery of Shakespeare's words from this proficient company of actors make this production accessible to anyone who might have previously felt intimidated by Shakespeare's language.
A couple of days prior to this, I went along to see 'His Greatness' at The Finborough, directed by Che Walker. The standard of work here is exemplary. Russell Bentley, Toby Wharton and Matthew Marsh (who stepped into his role with just a week to prepare before the play opened), effortlessly held the audience with their buoyant delivery of Daniel Maclvor's words. Jean-Marc Puissant's naturalistic set design is very impressive too.
Which finally brings me to 'Belong' at the Royal Court Theatre, written by Bola Agbaje. What I like about Bola is that her work is invariably relatable to a generation who perhaps, thirty years ago wouldn't have felt that they had a voice in a theatre establishment such as this.
Whilst sat in the auditorium, I could hear the theme of "belonging" striking a cord with a number of audience members and the discussion of the matter proceeded the evening. I sat and chatted with the cast about their own feelings of "belonging" and found a number of parallels emerged from a spectrum of experiences. Itoya Osagiede plays a number of roles in 'Belong'. Upon asking him how important he felt it was to be able to define one's cultural belonging/nationality/identity, he expressed, "it seems to grow in importance when someone asks it of you". I am inclined to agree. I for one, would struggle to define myself in respect of such questioning without casually slipping into my life story, which isn't always appropriate in social situations. So what to do? Decline to answer when asked anything relative? Doesn't this suggest uncertainty or even, shame? Are we comforted to learn of the "foreign" associations of others because we all, however we choose (or not) to define ourselves have intermittent feelings of alienation and are inherently yearning to belong?
It seems that the main function of defining identity is to be understood by others.
At worst, associated aspects of identities can be easily misguided and/or manipulated to form the basis of reason or argument for or against an individual, culture or circumstance. Defining identity can unite and empower vulnerable individuals or communities in associating with others whom may have had relatable experiences or hold similar values.
Whilst the influence of identity can be both positive and negative, what cannot be denied is that the acknowledgement of identity is necessary in order to recognise diversity should we truly desire to nurture a culture that promotes equality.
