Review: POSITIVE, Southwark Playhouse Borough

Malachi and Ade are best friends, who just so happen to be gay. They tell each other everything, they go to the sexual health clinic together, they discuss fit guys on Grindr…and they each have their demons. The question is, when you know each other inside out, how do you tell your best friend what’s actually on your mind and how you really feel?

Positive has been developed by Visual Sauce as part of Southwark Playhouse’s inaugural artist development scheme, Forge. During this scheme, four theatre companies complete a year-long residency with the Southwark Playhouse, which results in a presentation of a work as part of the Forge Festival.

Design wise, the set is simple: two curtains line the back wall, separating the limited backstage area from the main stage, a cabinet sits on one side of the space and a clothing rail lines the other. This allows a sense of ambiguity, which is a smart choice as it allows the characters to dictate the role of the space and to take up room.

Temi Majekodunmi is a highly talented writer. He really shows off the best of his skills with the nuances that this piece contains. It beautifully explores what it means to be strong, especially now, within the intersections of black and gay identities.

It asks us what it means to take up space as well as what it means to control and give up space. It advocates for the importance of safe vulnerability and strength in being honest (even in cases of unrequited love) because it can allow for both personal growth and connection leading to more tender and meaningful friendships.

His writing is ultimately sincere and gives the audience a good balance between acknowledgement of struggle and humor, whilst embracing life for what it really is for his characters.

To this end, Malichai Antonio and Kojo Quainoo are exceptional in their roles.

Antonio gives his character, Malachi, palpable energy, which makes him highly entertaining to watch. His comic timing is spot on and he isn’t afraid to make his character as flamboyant as possible. His character’s more sincere moments are played with a quiet subtlety, which is a great contrast to his character’s normal, meaning that the audience can see clearly how deeply affected Malachi has been by his previous relationship. It also is a particularly unique interpretation given how unsettling Malachi’s past is, but it works well because it doesn’t take away from the overall tone and message of the piece, which is not about Malachi’s past.

Quainoo, who plays Ade, doesn’t overplay his character’s social anxiety, which is very refreshing to see. It feels more authentic and lived in, therefore more sincere. Not to mention that he isn’t afraid to give his character a sense of natural vulnerability, which Ade tries to cover up at times. He lets Ade be romantic and gentle and gives him a significantly more inner energy, hidden behind a wall of casual quietness. He gives Ade a sense of natural curiosity, which makes him intriguing as we watch Ade ask questions about and navigate his world as it changes. Quainoo’s gifts as an actor comes from his attention to detail and its clear to see that he really believes in the story that he’s helping to tell.

Sincere, well balanced and meaningful. This show has arrived at the perfect time. It’s very much needed with how thought provoking it is and it will definitely stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Megan O’Neill

Positive plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 17 May, with further info here.