Review: ALTERATIONS, National Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Michael Abbensetts, a trailblazing Guyana-born British playwright, first made waves in 1973 with Sweet Talk, a work that resonated in part due to the growing curiosity about Black life in the UK. His play Alterations, originally staged in 1978, offers an insightful and authentic depiction of Black experiences in Britain during a time when the community was often perceived as "other." Now, under the deft direction of Lynette Linton, with additional material by Trish Cooke, this seminal piece is reinvigorated for a new audience, shining a light on the aspirations and struggles of the Windrush generation.
Set in a bustling tailor’s shop, Alterations follows Walker (Arinzé Kene), a man with grand ambitions. Determined to expand his modest business into a high-profile establishment on Carnaby Street, he strives to complete an impossible order for Mr. Nat (Colin Mace), a successful European immigrant and white business associate who sees a reflection of himself in Walker. Meanwhile, Walker’s wife, Darlene (Cherrelle Skeete), recently dismissed from her factory job, reminisces about their life in Guyana, longing for the stability that feels increasingly out of reach for their young daughter. Buster (Gershwyn Eustache Jr.) awaits the birth of his first child, while Horace (Karl Collins), a ‘friend’ and occasional worker, secretly harbours feelings for Darlene. The shop’s delivery driver, Courtney (Raphel Famotibe), injects a youthful perspective, bringing fresh energy to the mix.
Over the course of 24 hours, as Walker races to complete the order he believes will be his big break, he risks losing everything else. His relationships, both personal and professional, are pushed to breaking point as ambition, loyalty, and desperation collide. The stakes are high, and the cost of success is greater than he ever imagined.
Linton’s direction ensures a balance between realism and theatrical dynamism, capturing both the social tensions and the intimate, soap opera-like drama of the characters' lives. Skeete’s portrayal of Darlene is fierce yet empathetic, grounding the play with her warmth and wisdom. Eustache Jr’s Buster serves as a counterpoint to Walker’s hot-headedness, while Collins brings eccentricity and unexpected kindness to Horace. Famotibe’s Courtney injects a youthful energy, embodying the generational shift in Black British identity. At the centre of it all, Kene’s Walker is a force of nature, rarely leaving the stage, embodying the relentless grind of a man desperate to carve out his place in an unforgiving world.
The production’s design elements complement the intensity of the narrative. The revolving set, strewn with fabrics and garments, creates a deliberate sense of disorder, mirroring the chaotic yet industrious nature of Walker’s shop. The break room and workshop extend into the space, and moments of magical realism transport the audience into Walker’s dream, a vision of an expansive shop, success within reach yet shadowed by the sacrifices it demands. This dream-like sequence poignantly highlights the crushing reality of Black ambition in 1970s Britain.
The fast-paced dialogue authentically reflects the deep-rooted relationships between characters who have known each other across two worlds, Guyana and London. At times, the energy threatens to overwhelm, with the rapid exchanges occasionally obscuring clarity of text, however, this whirlwind pace also reinforces the central theme: these characters must keep moving, keep working, keep surviving.
George Dennis’ sound design and XANA’s composition weave together reggae and blues, enriching the world of the play with an evocative soundscape. Meanwhile, the costume design is a sensory feast of burnt oranges, rich browns, and classic 1970s fashion, immersing the audience in the era’s aesthetics.
Abbensetts was often hesitant to label his work as soap opera, yet Alterations undoubtedly foreshadows his later success in television. The play’s exploration of marriage, fidelity, and sacrifice highlights the cost of trying to build something of one's own in a society that seeks to limit such aspirations. These themes remain deeply relevant today.
Linton and Cooke’s adaptation ensures that Alterations does not remain a relic of the past but a timely reminder of ongoing struggles. The politics of simply existing, as Black, as a woman, as an immigrant, persist. This powerful staging underscores the importance of preserving and revisiting Black British narratives, making Alterations an essential and urgent piece of theatre.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Stephanie Osztreicher
Alterations plays at the National Theatre until 5 April, with further info here.
