Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Kiln Theatre, London
Cast: Jasper Britton, Tiffany Gray, Emma Kingston, Richard Pepple and Sule Rimi
Venue: Kiln Theatre, London
Cast: Jasper Britton, Tiffany Gray, Emma Kingston, Richard Pepple and Sule Rimi
Lamont, a legendary emcee and Mr Bugz, a hall-of-fame DJ, have been winding up their Musical Theatre loving neighbour Gerry for as long as they can remember. But when two aspiring rappers, Nancy and Val, make them question their attitudes on race, sexuality and music, they’ll need to decide what it really means to keep it real. Heart and humour collide in this unmissable theatrical event.
The Purists is playing at the Kiln Theatre in London until 21 December. Directed by Amit Sharma and written by Dan McCabe, this play is a comedy drama, and is funny and touching play set in Queens, New York. It tells the story of neighbours with very differing backgrounds. Gerry is an aged queer man with a love of musical theatre who is regularly teased by his neighbours, Lamont, a former MC and Mr Bugz, a DJ.
This sparring leads to two young aspiring female rappers, Nancy and Val competing in a rap battle, judged by the three men. After the winner is declared, this forces the group to question their beliefs about music, sexuality, race and class.
Jasper Britton was wonderful as quick-witted, cutting Gerry and Tiffany Gray as Val played a couple of very touching scenes that seemed to resonate with the audience. Sule Rimi as Lamont and Richard Pepple as Mr Bagz were pitch perfect as old friends chatting and debating on the steps outside the apartment block. All of which were ably supported by Emma Kingston's Nancy. The friendships between the group felt both authentic and genuine.
A special mention goes to the stage set designer, Tom Piper. Piper's use of a scaffolding to depict an apartment block with a view of each apartment inside was incredibly effective. Outside the walls are covered in graffiti giving an accurate representation in which this play is set.
This is a production done to the highest standard from the script, to the stage set, to the costumes and above all the actors. It's funny, touching and thought-provoking.
You can book tickets to see The Purists, here.
Review by Edwina
**photo credit: Marc Brenner**
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