Review: Wedding Band (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A health pandemic, heightened political tensions, war and discrimination. Unfortunately, I could be describing the state of the world currently, but this is how we find South Carolina in 1918 in the first major UK production of Alice Childress’ 1962 piece; Wedding Band. Its frank exploration of race and the hate that festers within a system of racial segregation, was so ahead of its time it didn’t receive a New York production until ten years after its conception. Even now, its blistering portrayal of race, love, and hate feels remarkably topical and worryingly relevant.

Black seamstress Julia and white baker, Herman, are celebrating ten years together, Julia having recently moved into a rented backyard room. Here she finds herself neighbours with a sisterhood of black women; Mattie the naïve but headstrong young woman bringing up her daughter, Lula, the fiercely protective mother, and Fanny, emulating those of white high society but remaining protective of her own race. Yet despite the community of women she finds herself living in, Julia does not find safety. When its revealed her ‘gentleman friend’ is white and he falls dangerously ill with influenza in her small, rented room, their relationship is exposed to the black community she lives within, as well as Herman’s mother and sister, who are vehemently opposed.

Childress’ skill is in writing wonderfully real characters, for whom we feel deeply for in just the few hours we spend with them. Protagonist Julia is played by Deborah Ayorinde, who enters with a quiet tenderness, reserved, yet her rage explodes into the second act as she enters into a fierce argument with her ‘mother in-law’. Alongside her, David Walmsley plays her lover, Herman, also with tenderness, but a masculine bravado, he is an ever-present reminder of the danger that lies around the corner at all times for a black woman in love with a white man.

The rest of the cast are also exceptionally strong. Lachele Carl portrays landlady Fanny’s complexities with wonderful nuance. Bethan Mary James embodies the youthful innocence of a woman in love but also protective of those around her. Diveen Henry is scene stealing as adoptive mother, Lula, showing off a remarkable talent for physical comedy, with just a facial expression or head tilt able to illicit huge laughter from the audience.

This again, is another strength of Childress’ writing, the surprise of its dark humour. The piece is tense, and often heart-breaking, yet I found myself laughing often. Women are at the centre of the story and their humour shines through; as they gossip about others, condemn the laws that keep them oppressed, and make loving jibes at one another. Direction by Monique Touko ensures every ounce of feeling is squeezed out of Childress’ intricate script. Tension soars in the more passionate moment of the play, and we are reminded throughout of the coexisting love and hate that dwell within the richly drawn community in South Carolina we become a part of.

The show is undoubtedly a success, yet could be pacier in places. The final scene is beautiful in its imagery, however I did feel it jarred rather with the rest of the play. For the most part its so immediate in its reality, brimming with the reality of the character’s lives. The abstract ending therefore didn’t quite fit with the scenes that had come before. Set design by Paul Wills is minimalist and industrial, wire fences cage the characters, and at times separate them, maximising the oppressive feel of their environment.

Wedding Band is a triumph. It is a powerful reminder of theatre's ability to reflect societal issues and provoke meaningful discourse. In an interview with director Monique Touko, she explained that she hoped the piece would make the audience question themselves and if the play’s success was measured on this alone, I can confirm it a huge success. It’s a piece I have contemplated thoroughly in the hours since my viewing. It's a compelling and thought-provoking production that masterfully tackles complex themes of love, race, and societal expectations.

Wedding Band is currently playing at Lyric Hammersmith until 29th June 2024, tickets and more information can be found here - Wedding Band: A Love Hate Story in Black and White - Lyric Hammersmith

Photos by Mark Senior