Review: HALF-EMPTY GLASSES, Summerhall - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: David Monteith-Hodge

Preparing to take his piano exam for a place at a prestigious music school, Toye questions if this is really what he wants to do with his life. He’s noticed the lack of Black British history in his school’s curriculum. So what else can he do but offer his own lessons in Black cultural icons? Only not everyone wants to celebrate.

Is he letting institutions write his story? What can he do to make people celebrate his culture? Why do we settle for a half-empty glass? And why is this so important to him now?

Half-Empty Glasses is a new play by Channel 4 bursary winner Dipo Baruwa-Etti about empowerment, the pressures of being young and what to do when you’re ready to change the world.

The relationships between the cast of three performers is real, taking the audience back to their school days, when the support of your peers was all that mattered.

The performances are flawless and the audience remains engaged throughout. The change in lighting is both clever and imperative to our understanding as we see how music and Toye’s passion for it makes him see things.

Identifying, perceptive and valiant.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Half-Empty Glasses plays at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until 28 August, with tickets available here.