BWW Reviews: THREE BIRDS, The Bush Theatre, March 22 2013

Having initially been performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre, this production is the first London airing of Janice Okoh's Three Birds. The Bush Theatre's versatile, intimate space is particularly well-suited for Okoh's Bruntwood Prize-winning story about a family seeking to prevent people from nosing too far into their lives.

The script is a wonderful combination of hilarity and morbidity, and is generally excellently performed. Michaela Coel brings an authentically earthy poise to mother-like Tiana and Lee Oakes is excellent as the horribly titled Dr Feelgood (AKA Mum's dealer). Jahvel Hall gives a slightly mannered but essentially empathy-evoking Tionne and Claire Brown glows as Ms Jenkins, Tanika's tactless schoolteacher. Tanika herself is played by Susan Wokoma, who is sometimes quite brilliant, though rather clumsy at others. All in all, though, the cast very successfully portray these characters and give disturbing, sad insight into their situation. That said, Coel and Wokoma are both older than their characters and initially one might struggle to determine quite what their relationship is or how old they are. However, in a play with complex, adult humour and dark themes, it is completely understandable that the girls were cast older.

Sarah Frankcom's direction is excellent throughout, including at the piece's more disturbing moments, but it is the comedy that really lingers. The dramatic crux and symbolism of the story aren't necessarily clichéd, but they are slightly less current and original than some of the throw-away dialogue, which really is fantastic. Louie Whitemore's set ticks all the boxes, with the television placed by the audience allowing for an intriguing, kooky opening, and the various doorways and views into other rooms give an interesting, realistic dynamic throughout.

All in all, this is a great production of a vibrant new work. Janice Okoh is one to keep an eye on.

Three Birds runs at the Bush Theatre until April 20 2013 and is unsuitable for a young audience.

Photograph credited to JoNathan Keenan.