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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewChoir Boy
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Would you rather be feared or respected, Headmaster Marrow? — Pharus
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Khlai Best as Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James, and in the foreground, Dominic Smith as Pharus Jonathan Young (Photo: Simon Kane) |
Director Dominic Cooper gives the school authenticity and the playwright has interspersed rousing school songs and beautifully evocative hymns between scenes and it is during Pharus’ singing the school song at the seniors’ graduation that he suddenly stops singing, breaking with a 49 year old tradition. Pharus stopped singing because he was subject to whispered homophobic insults from another of the boys but the prep school code of conduct means that when questioned by Head Master Marrow (Gary McDonald), Pharus cannot name the perpetrator.
McCraney’s play takes us into the lives of these young men with differing backgrounds through the scholarship system and differing ambitions. Pharus shares a room with athlete Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James (a brilliant debut from Khali Best) who is the role model for tolerance and friendship. The headmaster’s nephew Bobby Marrow (Eric Kofi Abrefa) comes from a privileged family and the whole school is aware of his relationship to the head. Junior ‘JR’ Davis (Kwayedza Kureya) is Bobby’s sidekick and David Heard (Aron Julius) is another scholarship boy who has been grappling with his own sexuality and has found answers in religion. A retired professor at the Charles R Drew Prep School, Mr Pendleton (David Burke) is a veteran of the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s.
Choir Boy challenges us by making Pharus a double edged sword. He is rather sneering and priggish, flicks his wrists and minces affectedly but we also sympathise with a vulnerable young man in a hostile world. Because he is not immediately likeable the play has a balance and makes its audience take a journey. The writing has depth and good characterisation which could make this a great play to study in schools as several kinds of prejudice are examined. Every character has a back story worthy of analysis.
Ultz’s dark wooden panelled set has the audience sunk into the school set with its honour board panels and school crest in the Royal Court’s small space upstairs. The pupils dress in uniform, maroon blazers with crests on the pocket and we feel the claustrophobia and difference away from family of the boarding school and of course the music takes us instantly into the school environment
Dominic Cooke has elicited remarkable performances from his young cast both in totally believable acting and with some lovely singing. Interesting although we know they refer back to the 1960s the play is almost timeless, a reflection of the continuation of the school tradition as Charles R Drew celebrates its 50th anniversary. There are no references to President Obama and the change he has made to American tradition.
Choir Boy commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club will be previewing from June 2013 at The Studio at Stage II on its American premiere and is already sold out in London.
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| Choir Boy
Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney Directed by Dominic Cooke Starring: Gary McDonald, Dominic Smith With: David Burke, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Kwayedza Kureya, Khali Best, Aron Julius Design: Ultz Musical Director: Colin Vassell Lighting: Charles Balfour Sound: Carolyn Dowling Running time: One hour 50 minutes without an interval Box Office: 020 7565 5000 Booking to 6th October 2012 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 10th September 2012 performance at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court, Sloane Square London SW1W 8AS (Tube: Sloane Square) |
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