Review: In Search of a White Identity, The Actor’s Centre
In Search of a White Identity was originally produced as part of the Working Class Season for The Actor’s Centre in 2019. In 2020, as Black Lives Matter returned to international headlines, Cliffordkuju Henry’s piece returns, reimagined.
Due to the lack of space in police custody, Patrick (Cliffordkuju Henry) and Mickey (Drew Edwards) find themselves in the same cell, despite being on opposite sides of the protest where they were arrested. After establishing that they once knew each other as children, the story explodes as they compare life experiences that ultimately led them to the cell they now share.
The bleak and simple set of a prison cell creates a pressured and exposed environment. The stark benches and singular small window exacerbate the fluctuating tensions between the two, though at times the anger threatened to overwhelm the powerful themes. Henry’s writing cleverly explores how two people can have similar upbringings and yet polar opposite experiences; whilst mirroring the 2020 BLM protests and EDL marches with the removal of statues and declarations of “you can’t change history”.
The often-unlikable Mickey, filled with the frustrations of a powerless working-class white man, is softened with the memories of his mother’s suffering. Edwards is venomous yet delicate, bringing an air of familiarity to the role. Whilst Henry's portrayal of Patrick is a powerful weave of anger, exasperation, rationality and reason, Patrick is tired, angry and fuelled by injustice; a feeling shared by many.
In Search of a White Identity tackles difficult conversations head on, exploring racism and the contributing nuances of poverty, wealth, immigration, politics, and masculinity. With so much to say and a running time of around 30 minutes, it could do with a little more time to explore a few of the themes in greater depth.
Nevertheless, Henry provides a balanced view. Staying away from binary concepts of heroes and villains, neither character is designed to be “right”, to concede or push a particular view. It’s an exploration of being lost and let down in a place that is supposed to be home. Ending with an agreement to meet for drinks, it provides hope that through the frustration and the pain, we can still find each other.
It is an eye-opening performance and something I implore people to seek out, especially in the current climate. The piece is available at just £8 until Sunday 6 December on The Actors Centre website here.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Emma Littler
