Review: FAMILY TREE, Belgrade Theatre Coventry - Tour

Photo credit: Helen Murray

The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry hosted the world premiere of Moisola Adebayo’s Family Tree last night - the untold story of Henrietta Lacks, one of the most influential women of modern history, without whose influence on today’s medicine would have us all in a very different place.

Henrietta Lacks died in Maryland, USA in August 1951, although her legacy will continue forever. Most people will have never heard her name and that’s because her consent was never given for this ground breaking medical discovery.

Diagnosed with cervical cancer, cells were taken from her tumour and biopsied during her treatment. It was found that after these cells were cultured, the cell line known as HeLa was created and is still used for medical research today. Having led to the development of the Polio Vaccine, research into cancer, AIDS, gene mapping and even most recently Covid-19. Whilst she may have led to saving hundreds of thousands of lives over time, the point is that no-one ever asked for her permission. Indeed, her family were not even made aware until 1975 when the knowledge became public.

It is from Henrietta’s story that we learn just how many Black women over time have been hidden from history, had the abuse of white doctors experiments on them hidden from history, had their stories hidden from history….

Aminita Francis portrays Henrietta, a strong willed women whose rights and life were taken away, yet she stands for everything that our futures hold, that women’s futures hold. Her storytelling is superb. From the start we are drawn in, we are engaged and we want to hear her story, feel her outrage. 

Mofetoluwa Akande, Keziah Joseph and Aimee Powell make up the remaining characters of the piece, doubling as both the present-day NHS Covid nurses and the American slave girls, their life paths crossing in a continuous cycle. 

Directed by Matthew Xia, the story is told through script, spoken word and poetry and each performance is as strong as the character that is portrayed.  Empathically telling the truth of today’s medical discoveries, it’s a nod to the strength of Black women throughout history and into the present day.

Possibly one of the most important untold stories in history!

***** Five stars.

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Family Tree plays at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry until 18 March and tours the UK until 17 June, with further information here.