The Legends of Them by Sutara Gayle. The Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Downstairs, Sloane Square, London until 21 December 2024,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“For the right audience it is a memorable and revelatory evening with Gayle, a mesmeric performer with a powerful voice.”

There are times when one recognises the power and accomplishment of the performer and how important this look at their life is for them and is left wishing one was anywhere but in the theatre watching it. Others found it moving and daring and there is no denying that Sutara Gayle as writer and as Lorna Gee whose story, their story, she tells has created something special. It first surfaced at

Brixton House, Hackney in September to great acclaim and has now transferred to the Royal Coiurt for this short run. The problem is that I really could not care let alone identify with any of it although Gayle and the play deserves those stars because for the right audience it is a memorable and revelatory evening with Gayle, a mesmeric performer with a powerful voice, holding the stage throughout. It is aimed at women, women of colour not ageing white men. Gayle tells her story as Lorna Gee, her childhor, taking drugs going to prison for theft, telling her mother she is a Lesbian and about the shooting of her sister Cherry Groce in 1985 by the Metropolitan police which sparked the Brixton riots. It is colourful life to say the least to which the telling does justice.

Cast

Sutara Gayle – Lorna Gee and the voice of everyone else except her brother.

Mooj – himself.

Creatives

Director & Co-Creator – Joe McInnes.

Dramaturg & Co-Creator -Nina Lyndon.

Costume Designer- Melissa Simon-Hartman.

Lighting Designer – Joshie Harriette.

Composer & Musical Director - Christella Litras.

Sound Designer – Elena Pena.

Projection Designer -Tyler Forward.

Video Artist – Daniel Battera.