Black Superhero ★★★★
Royal Court Theatre
Black Superhero, currently on at London’s excellent Royal Court Theatre, takes us into the world of a group of queer black actors and their associates. Set in London, David (Lewis Brown), King (Dyllon Burnside) and Raheem (Eloka Ivo) are old friends and hang out together a lot. David is approaching 40, and struggles with both his mental health and his lack of success as an actor. He lives and works with his children’s party entertainer sister, Syd (an excellent Rochenda Sandall), and life is passing him by to some extent.
King and Raheem, on the other hand, are both successful actors, super fit and very self-assured. King is in an open relationship with his slightly bumbling white-liberal husband Steven (a funny Ben Allen), and is basking in the success of his latest film release where he plays a Marvel-like black-caped superhero called Craw. Raheem’s career is also going well. His priorities include partying, dating on the elite app Raya and going to the gym.
King likes to play around and begins a fling with David, with complications arising immediately as teetotal, drug-free David starts to fall for the partying King, who is already in a long-term relationship. Raheem and David also fool around sexually together. Syd warns her brother that this behavior is not a route to happiness, but her words fall on deaf ears and things reach a head when the group of friends (with benefits) head off down to Australia for a press tour to promote King’s new film.
Writer Danny Lee Wynter’s play is an entertaining, often laugh-out-funny as well as serious, piece of work. He covers a range of themes including the queer black experience in the world of acting, open relationships, same-sex marriage, representation, childhood abuse, self-esteem and partying versus sobriety. Director Daniel Evans and Set Designer Joanna Scotcher successfully bring the story to life, including some fabulously random, rather camp, moments with King in the black superhero outfit. The strong cast gel together brilliantly. The play hurtles along in a slightly messy fashion but that makes it more realistic as the real-life scenario of a group of friends traveling, partying and playing around with each other would also be messy. A sexy, fun, thought-provoking piece of work.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
Labels: 2023, Ben Allen, Black Superpower, Daniel Evans, Danny Lee Wynter, Dyllon Burnside, Eloka Ivo, Lewis Brown, review, Ris Fatah, Rochenda Sandall), Royal Court Theatre
