Darkness cannot drive out darkness: Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that. Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, an icon among the black community globally, has had his memory captured in a raw performance of The Mountaintop at New Vic Theatre.
Simple in design, the stage was a motel room in which the King himself would meet his death, greeted by the angel Camae.
This play captured the emotion behind the death of an icon, and with so many having left us this year such as Bowie and Alan Rickman, a play like this came about at the right time.
Set in America, we are greeted by MLK ordering a simple cup of coffee from room service. From there, the maid Camae is introduced and conversation sparks arguments and speeches.
There’s even a part where MLK gets the chance to speak with god herself, interpreted as a black woman.
The most exciting scene, I felt, was when MLK got to see the future. A future with less hate and more love. The sheer force behind Camae’s speech and the way that Martin reacted to it was a perfect round up of the show.
Director Abbey Wright cultivated not only a powerful and emotional performance that encapsulated the very core of racism, but created an educational undertone for those of us who knew little of the great MLK.
Assassinated in 1968 after rallying the people to fight for their rights, MLK preached love in defence of hate, and the performance of two actors on one simple stage brought that to life.
One of my favourite quotes from the evening was hard to pick out. After thinking back on the feeling I had coming out of the theatre, one of awe and thought, I decided on this:
They hate so easily, and we love too much.
This came about during a talk about the fear of bringing a black child into this world, the fear that they may end up dead before their time thanks to white Americans and their right to bare arms. This, or the police brutality that even today the majority of America still faces.
Other powerful lines from the show really stick with you afterwards. The idea of hoses that police used on peaceful protestors, washing away their dreams and drowning their hopes. The image of fear being a lover and companion, the exclamation of finally being equal.
Throughout the performance of two fantastic actors, Daniel Francis as MLK and Tala Gouveia as Camae, the entire range of emotions one person can feel are explored.
There are points where you will be laughing, flashes where you will be on the edge of your seat, and moments that force a tear to the eye.
This play was amazing. It takes actors with considerable talent to portray a story so hard hitting with such a history to it.
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall is a fantastic play showing at the New Vic Theatre until Saturday 25 June. It’s well worth the watch and I would highly recommend seeing it now while you have the chance.
Emma-Leigh Hayes
Appetite Cultural Reporter
Image: Andrew Billington Photography
The Appetite Cultural Reporter Team is a roving group of local writers, photographers and bloggers who are passionate about the arts in Stoke-on-Trent. Cultural Reporters discover and promote exciting stuff happening locally and regionally through reviews, blogs, vlogs, photography, back stage interviews and more. From theatre to circus to spoken word, they get to the heart of the action and bring it to you. Got an event coming up you’d like one of the team to review? Contact us at askus@appetitestoke.co.uk
