Nestled into the Young Vic’s in-the-round
theatre, I felt cradled in The Brothers
Size’s tender and loving portrayal of a fraternal relationship. After a stint in prison, younger
brother Oshoosi tries to adapt back into his normal life. He wiles away his time
sleeping, hanging out with former cell-mate Alegba and being watched by his
protective older brother Ogun. Too often we see the same stereotype of
the African American man: a macho, aggressive, drug dealer who speaks in drawls
and only knows a life of crime. However, Tarell Alvin McCraney (writer of the beautiful,
Oscar winning Moonlight) subverts these stereotypes into three men who love
each other in different ways. His poetic language reveals Oshoosi as goofy and
vulnerable, Ogun as gentle but stern and protective, and Alegba as sly and
manipulative.
The
performance blended traditional theatre with physical theatre, dance, song and
poetry, all performed in a chalk circle dusted with red powder that seemed to
radiate heat from a southern state sun. The chemistry and mastery of acting
from the three actors was the highlight of the performance. They were so in
sync with each other and with the rhythm of the music. Nowhere was this clearer
than in Ogun and Oshoosi’s joyous rendition of Try a Little Tenderness - a
scene so blissful that it made me want to jump up and sing along with them. I
didn’t, but my foot was definitely tapping along in appreciation.
Any Indecent Exposure? – Although a black female
perspective of racial incarceration in southern USA may have provided exposure for a more
marginalised group of people, the complete lack of black male stereotypes, and
the beautiful relationships made this performance a worthy one to watch.
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