Review: ELEPHANT, Bush Theatre
Photo credit: Henri T
Singer, songwriter, actress and composer Anoushka Lucas adds playwright to her list of credits with her debut play Elephant, a one-woman show created after recognition of a short piece she wrote in the summer of 2020, responding to the murder of George Floyd, about finding space for her own emotional truth around her experiences of racism amid a surge of white people wanting to be allies.
Lucas plays Lylah who takes us through important moments in her life; the first being when a piano arrives at her home at the age of seven, as she understands herself, her place in the music industry, and her place in the world. We flip back and forth with Lylah in pages of her story, from youthful bliss to times when adult life and hard truths suddenly grip her and dig claws in tight. In this way, the production and Lucas’ narration throughout shows us the leap from saying what it is, to wondering why it is such a way.
There are multiple ways in which this show took our breath away: the kind when you try to avoid allowing yourself breath with the fear that your continued laughter after the joke that floored you could interrupt the next; the kind that makes way for a genuine smile to naturally spread across your face when you feel that connection between yourself and the protaganist; and the kind that releases a sigh with the fated furrow of the brow and pouting of the lip as you sink into the true meaning of the words you are hearing.
The Studio at the Bush Theatre is the perfect intimate venue for this production where Lucas speaks to us like we are a friend she has been talking to for her whole life. Georgia Wilmot creates a set design with simple but incredibly effective impact and Lucas uses the space beautifully in a home that is literally opened to the audience. All they need to tell the story is a piano and its stool.
Following the opening speech of the performance, which introduces the forefront themes in a straightforward way, it is music that introduces emotion and before any back story has even been introduced or announced, we have depth. This use of music resets the tone of scenes, so no moment comes out of a vacuum, rather out of music.
Lucas’ writing is incredible; so honest and human with beautiful transparency and vulnerability. Her control over words and capacity for all edges of emotion makes for a rousing performance. Her talent for storytelling is emphasised by command of metaphors and use of lingering silence. Words are a tool for Lucas. Through the duration of the piece, she gives the words she writes new meaning, even in areas you originally thought inconsequential.
A message gradually becomes evident as the show progresses, building to an overwhelmed explosion of emotion when Lucas takes back perspective control of her narrative and speaks her mind truthfully, putting the audience in a position they arguably need to be put in.
Lighting by Laura Howard arguably makes the production, acting as a beautiful external depiction of inner understandings, whether that be love, entrapment, innocence or happiness. Together with sound design by Bella Kear, it achieves an emphasis of the effect of the words.
There is no taking your eyes off Lucas. Her expert delivery, made up of skilful manipulation of body language, voice, and an effortless portrayal of youthful innocence and humour, creates waves of emotion. The audience are clearly captivated, some leaning forward in their chairs, from bursts of laughter to the aura of passion, to the pockets of silence brimming with sympathy and an unspoken but undeniable wish that the world was better and more inclusive than it is and has been.
She explains it in depth at the start of the piece – sound. It’s all about a visual depiction of sound – her voice, her music, the impact of silence where the words she wants to say won’t leave her mouth. Lucas’ speaking voice and singing voice, equally mesmerising, together with masterful piano playing, with melody and tone fills the studio.
The show can be summarised in its leading themes of listening, filling gaps, connection, progress and contrast that approaches in ebbs and flows, managing to point out the dark without overshadowing the light.
A recap at the conclusion of the piece, first in words and then in music, demonstrates the steps we have taken together in understanding.
By the time we see Anoushka Lucas, sat at the piano, head held high, taking a shaky breath of relief under the dramatic light which cascades over herself and the piano and fades to black, it is clear Elephant is a show just shy of perfection.
A dynamic and powerful theatre experience.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Louisa Clarke
Elephant plays at the Bush Theatre until 12 November, with tickets available here.