We are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 – 1915 may be an exhaustingly exhaustive title to say (and even to type) but it’s an otherwise invigorating piece of work to see performed.
On now at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush, the play offers an ‘everything you never realised you wanted to know but will find fascinating look at Namibian history’ … while addressing racism and the frustrating ramifications of European colonialism in Africa … and how those factors might apply to the lives of Londoners with seemingly no connection to Namibia at all. If that sounds like the play is nothing less than a thudding lecture with little in the way of actual entertainment, don’t worry. There’s plenty of clowning around involved as playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury mixes the political with the personal for a punchy production that’s as unflinching as it is irreverent.
Cast members – Ayesha Antoine, Joseph Arkley, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Joshua Hill, Kirsty Oswald, and Isaac Ssebandeke – shine in equal brilliance as they contemplate on stage how best to confront the frustrating legacy of colonialism in Africa. Such a rolling rehearsal of a plot capably directed by Gbolahan Obisesan. Designer Lisa Marie Hall does well too; her set revels elements in novel and clever ways without upstaging the action.
I had a hoot and a ponder – both in equal measure – at the press night performance of We are Proud to Present …. It’s an easy one to recommend and one I’m especially glad I caught.
We are Proud to Present … runs until 12 April at Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LJ. Find out more at bushtheatre.co.uk.
