Review: BANGERS, Soho Theatre
Photo credit: Toyin Dawudu
A new play by Danusia Samal, Bangers follows Aria and Clef, two characters at a crisis point in their lives, whose storylines knot together at a Ministry of Sound club night. Composer and sound designer Duramaney Kamara also appears on stage as a narrator and compere, conducting the action to a soundtrack of R&B and garage-inspired tracks. Skimming through the programme, we found that the original soundtrack is available across multiple music streaming platforms.
Samal’s script is structured in tracks rather than scenes, and the verse dialogue is rhythmic, pacy and poignant. Danusia Samal (clearly a formidable talent with innumerable strings to her bow) and Darragh Hand make up a vibrant, energetic and elastic cast as Aria and Clef, as well as a host of other roles.
As the audience files into the Soho Theatre Upstairs, DJ has already begun his set, inviting the audience into a noughties UK garage party. DJ’s decks form the centrepiece of Zoë Hurwitz’s set, and instead of man-handling traditional stage blocks, the cast of three move through a variety of timelines and spaces by wheeling around speaker cases adorned with a number of stickers and slogans including ‘trans rights’ and ‘Justice 4 Grenfell’. Functional and flexible, Zoë Hurwitz’s understated set allows the actors and the music to take centre stage while stitching together through small clues and Easter eggs the fabric of the characters’ universe.
Martha Godfrey’s lighting design and movement direction by Louise Kempton complete the immersive world of Chris Sonnex’s production, which travels through all the stages of a night out – nervous excitement, anticipation, the euphoric peak, the bitter come down and the muted bus journey home.
Like an unexpectedly deep conversation in the smoking area, Bangers is an incisive, heartfelt and energetic play exploring love, sex, relationships, and change through the pleasure and pain of nostalgia. A wholly fulfilling evening of theatre that’s not to be missed – smart, musical, funny… ticks absolutely all of my boxes!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett
Bangers plays at Soho Theatre until 2 July, with tickets available here.