The stage is tiny but the story is big! This adaptation of Sam Selvon’s iconic novel about the Windrush Generation is about London’s social history and the brave immigrants that came to make a home in a city that saw them as a threat.
Photo: Alex Brenner.
The play tells the story of Henry ‘Sir Galahad’ Oliver, arriving in London from Trinidad with no luggage but an abundance of hope, exuberance and excitement about the new life he is about to start in London. His positive attitude is at odds however with his new friends who are tired of fighting the prejudice, racism and hardship that dig hard into their dreams of making London home. Amongst them is Moses (played by Gamba Cole), the ‘one to know’, who is happy to share his stash of cigarettes and survival tips, and his old friends Big City and Lewis.
The men hang together and try to have fun but the foggy city, like its people, is cold and hostile. And despite their efforts to get to know and befriend the place, they are defeated, beaten and humiliated again and again. Galahad’s pain of being rejected because of the colour of his skin is palpable – ‘It’s the black – that’s what it is!’. And there are tough moments too with spousal abuse, physical assault and failed attempts to join a life of crime. Unacceptable but understandable reactions to a lack of emotional support; they only have each other and they are humans who make mistakes.
The seven protagonists of this show are on stage together throughout, in close proximity to the audience, and tell their bold stories though passionate and engaging dialogue (with strong authentic accents), music and cleverly choreographed movement. And there is London, the almost overpowering backdrop to their lives, reflected not just in the characters’ love-hate relationship and their endearing struggle to pronounce the names of places they visit – Piccadilly Circus, Bayswater, Hammersmith or Hyde Park – but also through stage lighting that spells-out postcodes and pulses to music.
The characters, while flawed, depict with impressive emotion how it feels to be broken again and again, and yet find the strength to move on, helped by an equally challenged handful of close friends. This is a bold and exciting piece of theatre. The play doesn’t romanticise the men or make them out to be heroes. But there is much to celebrate in their comradeship, their support for one another and their stubborn determination to embrace a city that appears to want to reject them.
The Lonely Londoners is at Jermyn Street Theatre until 6 April 2024. Tickets are £35 but every day 10 tickets for £10 are available for under 30s. Booking and more information is available here. For our selection of London theatre and art shows for children and families please visit our shows page.