BWW Reviews: FENCES, The Duchess Theatre, June 27 2013

Following its run at the Theatre Royal, Bath, the much anticipated Fences opened at the Duchess Theatre last night, starring Lenny Henry as the exceptionally unlikeable protagonist.

Penned by August Wilson, Fences paints a largely upsetting picture of 1950s America, presenting characters whose opportunities have been vastly limited by their race. Henry plays Troy, father of Lyons and Gabriel and husband to Gabe's mother, Rose. After a chequered past, Troy played baseball with great skill - though he feels he was never allowed to achieve what his talented should have allowed him to, because of his race. Now he is a garbageman. So, when his son is scouted for a college football league and needs his father's permission to accept, Troy refuses: perhaps because he really feels there is no future in education and sports, as the field is so prejudiced, or perhaps because he is jealous of Gabriel's talent and the youth which he has not wasted, and which might afford him a real shot at success.

Various other familial dramas ensue, which largely tally to alienate the audience from Troy. Henry gives a consistent performance, with his vocal work being of particular note - his rhythm and sense of comedy are, as ever, excellent, though his stage craft leaves a little to be desired.

However, this kind of character doesn't automatically attract empathy. While the majority of the audience seemed very enthused, the script is frankly too long and much of the symbolism is clumsy. While his work has been likened to Arthur Miller's, something about Wilson's writing is just a little more "soap opera" than Miller's.

However, Ako Mitchell and Tranae Sinclair achieved something really special in their final scene together - Sinclair gave a beautiful and sincere performance, perhaps in the way only a truly talented child-actor can. Mitchell's tender, accepting approach was highly believable and really did conclude the evening on a strong note.

Some may be offended by the regular usage of the "n" word throughout. That said, within this context, it feels accurate and strangely natural. There is something refreshing about this prohibited word being reclaimed by those it has been used against - what most people would never dream of saying can be articulated within this dramatic context. However, there is an upsettingly derogatory feel throughout Fences; while characters seem to strive towards racial equality and recognise the injustice of how they are treated, especially Troy's labouring of the racial difference seems to reinforce segregation.

All in all, this is at least an interesting play to see, offering insight into an even less enlightened time and reminding us of things it is surely important not to forget.

Fences runs at the Duchess Theatre until August 14 2013.

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