Review: SAFE SPACE, Chichester Festival Theatre
Photo credit: Helen Murray
The best stories are rooted in truth, and this can be said of Safe Space, written by Jamie Bogyo, inspired by his experience studying playwriting at Yale University in 2016. It was the final months of Barack Obama’s presidency and in the political pressure cooker that is the campus of one of America’s most prestigious universities, many students decided they could no longer support a college that was named after a notorious defender of slavery: John Calhoun.
Safe Space follows students Isaiah, Connor, Annabelle, Omar, and Stacy as they navigate campus politics and all that comes along with confronting the injustices of the past. The renaming of Calhoun College is the issue of the day, but Bogyo artfully explores the intersection between race, relationships and growing into adulthood during times of political change. The writing is smart, quick witted and surprisingly funny given the serious and complex issues. Roy Alexander Weise’s direction is brilliantly vibrant and paced to match the emotional turmoil and sharp intelligent dialogue. The action is anchored around a statue of John Calhoun, which used to sit prominently on Yale’s campus, which moves to make away for wonderfully detailed college dorms complete with a mini fridge filled with beers, designed by Khadija Raza. The appearance of skinny jeans ensures we know that this incredibly current play is in fact set almost ten years ago.
Safe Space explores the politics of identity and how they intersect with but are not limited to race. Stereotypes are batted around, like ‘fascist’ and ‘liberal snowflake,’ but it is not the characters that fit these moulds, it is the opinions they have of each other. Bogyo has written dynamic nuanced characters demonstrating that nothing is ever straight forward in politics.
Bogyo also stars as Connor who is bold, brash, and overflowing with opinions about why the college’s name should be retained. His passion clashes with his best friend and roommate Isaiah who does not want to be drawn in. Ernest Kingsley Jr brings thoughtfulness and sensitivity to Isaiah as he battles to form his own opinions and not be characterised by the colour of his skin. Céline Buckens and Bola Akeju play Annabelle and Stacy who have contrasting motivations for wanting to be President of Women’s Leadership. Buckens walks on eggshells as the vulnerable Annabelle, who tries to compensate for her whiteness. Stacy’s initial naivety becomes ruthless ambition; she is a woman who knows what she wants. She spars with Ivan Oyik who rounds out the cast as Omar, President of the African American Society. They have the shared objective of renaming the college but conflicting reasons for amplifying the cause.
Bogyo is best known as a musical theatre performer, and he weaves music throughout the play. The acappella vocals elevate what is already a wonderful theatrical event. Both Bogyo and Kingsley Jr have sensational voices and their audition for the Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world's oldest collegiate acappella group, provides a unique intensity to the climax of the central storyline. It would have been great to hear more singing, or is its limited use that makes it feel special? Ultimately, it brings a sincerity to the perhaps too understated ending of this volatile show.
Safe Space is an impressive debut play. Bogyo is an accomplished performer and playwright who proves that just because something has always been, does not mean that it should stay the same.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Luck
Safe Space plays at Chichester Festival Theatre until 8 November, with further info here.