Review: LEAVE TAKING, Bush Theatre

The Guardian described Winsome Pinnock as the "godmother of black British playwrights". She's the first black British woman to have a play produced by the National, and her success has inspired many generations to follow in her footsteps. Her George Devine Award-winning play, Leave Taking receives a contemporary revival at the Bush Theatre.

Home is where the heart is. That's what we're always told, right? It's that place that lays the foundations for who we grow up to be, and provides the safety net for us to make mistakes. Home is where you align your identity, but it's a word that means different things to different people.

Enid takes her daughters to the local obeah woman for some Caribbean healing. But she gets more than she bargained for when secrets are revealed and the dark truth is uncovered. Sarah Niles gives a stellar performance as the mother. As everything starts to fall apart, she emotionally unravels to show her enormous pain and fear.

The rest of the cast are an absolute delight to watch; each of them exudes such raw emotion, humour and enormous energy. Their performances cause roars of laughter to erupt from the audience, but they also pull at our heartstrings as they demonstrate their vulnerability and rawness.

The Bush fosters an environment of inclusivity. It's a venue that opens its doors to everyone, regardless of their experience. And it's for these reasons that the vibe at the theatre last night was very unique. Theatre's dinosaurs didn't occupy it; instead it was filled with people from all walks of life, all coming together to celebrate something special.

This is an epic story that spans generations and puts the narratives of four formidable women on the centre stage. In this tale, the cards have been placed firmly on the table and there's no going back. Leave Taking is an undeniably important addition to our theatrical landscape.

Leave Taking at Bush Theatre until 30 June

Photo courtesy of the Bush Theatre

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