Review: LITTLE BROTHER, Jermyn Street Theatre
Photo credit: Steve Gregson
There is a unique dynamic between siblings that goes much deeper than shared blood and a common DNA. Growing up together is rollercoaster of highs and lows, arguments and fights but the bond remains strong as the years pass. There is an added burden on the older sibling to keep an eye on the younger ones; to be their parents’ eyes and ears when they’re not around. The old adage of blood being thicker than water has never been more apt. This new play by Timberlake Wertenbaker tells the tale of a wayward brother who runs away from school.
Ibrahima (Blair Gyabaah) is the oldest of four siblings living in Guinea, West Africa. His father Mamadou (Mo Sesay) wants Ibrahima to get a good education, but really wants to work and properly support his family. His mother Fatimatu (Whitney Kehinde) toils to make ends meet and worries endlessly about her family’s welfare. Ibrahima makes the decision to go out and earn a living. He gets on a bus to Liberia and finds work as a lorry driver’s apprentice. However, he soon has to return home when he learns younger brother Alhassane (Ivan Oyik) has gone missing and is apparently on his way to Europe. Amets (Youness Bouzinab) is an immigration support worker narrating the tale as it unfolds.
Little Brother tells a compelling story of two brothers striking out from a remote West African village. Ibrahima’s journey is a compelling account of the worst in human nature. Corrupt border officials name their price and human trafficking is accepted as a way of life. A hostile environment breeds from the desperation of those seeking a better life. Migration to Europe inevitably rears its head as lucrative trading routes serve an endless stream of refugees. The narrative is immediately on point with sharp observations on the desire for survival. It’s a story that will always be contemporary and at the forefront of modern life. When the media carries images of refugees on a dinghy in the Channel we only see the end product.
This play fills the back story of how people can reach the point of no return. It’s a sobering thought but one we shouldn’t ignore. They have lives to live and dreams to fulfil, so can only feel wiser for having seen it.
As always, a strong cast nails the play with a convincing portrayal of believable characters.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Brian Penn
Little Brother plays at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 21 June, with further info here.
