Imposters by Molly Davis. Jerwood downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, 50 Sloane Square, London SW1 to 14 October 2023. 4****: William Russell

Imposters by Molly Davis. Jerwood downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, 50 Sloane Square, London SW1 to 14 October 2023.

4****: William Russell

Devised by the cast, all of whom are disabled in one way or another, and Access All Areas the Hackney based theatre company for adults with learning disabilities, this murder mystery is baffling at times but always inspiring to watch. It is also frequently very funny. The performances are billed as being relaxed, which means the audience can come and go as it pleases – in fact on press night nobody appeared to move from their seats – which creates a sense of freedom and also allows the actors to talk directly to the audience. The fourth wall keeps getting breached. Seven friends are confronted with the death of Joe (Jamael Westman, the only player without disabilities) who joined their group and they nowmust get their stories straight for the police. As which of them did it, they are interrogated in turn by their fellows. The actors are helped by a team of support workers – there is a prompter on stage who helps when the lines have difficulty in being remembered - and someone who hands out microphones to assist them get their lines across when required. The stage crew also come on fromt time to time to help out but there seemed little need. The players were well up to doing what was required and in fact it could have been just another evening in any theatre. Except, of course, it wasn’t. As to who did it I was none the wiser by the end but it did not matter. A good time had been had by all. Disabilities had been defied and overcome by the players and those without in he audience had had their prejudices challenged.

Cast

Kirsty Adams.

Cian Binchy.

Housni Hassan (DJ).

Dayo Koleosho.

Stephan Newman.

Lee Phillips.

Arelene Salter.

Jamael Westman.

Creatives

Director – Hamish Pirie.

Designer – Ari Dyfan.

Lighting Designer – Anna Watson.

Sound Designer – Xana.

Video designer – Lewis den Hertog.

Movement Director – Yami Lofvenberg.