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Trouble in Mind (and in getting there)
Sep. 24th, 2017 12:58 pmI hadn't been sure whether to see this play, given the hassle of getting to London and being out all day, but SM was going out, and I wasn't going to the theatre this month, so I decided to buy a ticket. I was right about the hassle. My train was cancelled - at least I found out the day before, so I didn't get to the station to find I had to wait an hour. And GWR still haven't managed to add an extra carriage to a two carriage train which has to convey two lots of passengers, so the first part of the journey was cramped by the end. At least I had a seat for the journey - having complained on Twitter. It appears GWR are launching a new advertising campaign to encourage people to travel by train - I'd be more inclined to if I thought their 'Great Adventure' wouldn't be 'is there going to be a train'.
I had planned to go to the V&A to see a couple of their exhibits, but with the loss of an hour I changed plans and went to Leighton House instead. There was an interesting exhibition of paintings by Lawrence Alma-Tedema (no, I hadn't heard of him either) and a beautiful Arab room in the house. So that was worth doing, after which I walked through Holland Park from the Kensington High Street end towards Notting Hill Gate, to go to the Print Room at the Coronet to see the play.
Trouble in Mind was written by Alice Childress, an African-American playwright, in 1955. It concerns an actress who challenges the racial stereotypes she is always given to portray. Although set in 1955 it remains very relevant as regards racism, and those who believe themselves not to be racist, and yet unconsciously still maintain certain attitudes.
The attraction of the play for me was Jonathan Slinger, who played Al Manners the director of the play within a play. In addition Tanya Moodie, who was Gertrude in last year's RSC Hamlet, plays the main actress Wiletta Mayer. The whole cast was excellent, and the play was thoughtprovoking without being heavy.
The theatre was about two-thirds full. It's not a place I'd heard of before, and outside the usual theatre haunts of most people, but I understand ticket bookings have gone up with some good reviews (which it deserves). It's only on until 14 October, but one to bear in mind.
I had planned to go to the V&A to see a couple of their exhibits, but with the loss of an hour I changed plans and went to Leighton House instead. There was an interesting exhibition of paintings by Lawrence Alma-Tedema (no, I hadn't heard of him either) and a beautiful Arab room in the house. So that was worth doing, after which I walked through Holland Park from the Kensington High Street end towards Notting Hill Gate, to go to the Print Room at the Coronet to see the play.
Trouble in Mind was written by Alice Childress, an African-American playwright, in 1955. It concerns an actress who challenges the racial stereotypes she is always given to portray. Although set in 1955 it remains very relevant as regards racism, and those who believe themselves not to be racist, and yet unconsciously still maintain certain attitudes.
The attraction of the play for me was Jonathan Slinger, who played Al Manners the director of the play within a play. In addition Tanya Moodie, who was Gertrude in last year's RSC Hamlet, plays the main actress Wiletta Mayer. The whole cast was excellent, and the play was thoughtprovoking without being heavy.
The theatre was about two-thirds full. It's not a place I'd heard of before, and outside the usual theatre haunts of most people, but I understand ticket bookings have gone up with some good reviews (which it deserves). It's only on until 14 October, but one to bear in mind.
