Review: SPLINTERED, Soho Theatre

Photo credit: Harry Elletson

Splintered is a bold and boisterous new show from writer and director Emily Aboud, currently storming the main stage at the Soho Theatre. Part-play, part-cabaret, this show not only explores queer narratives and stories based on interviews with queer women from Trinidad and Tobago, but also makes a case for queering play structure and narrative form itself.

Splintered pays tribute to Caribbean carnival through its riotous and rebellious mix of scenes, songs, satire, parody and dance to pulsing dancehall and reggaeton beats. Within this radical and joyfully chaotic structure, Emily Aboud’s writing is clear, concise and informative, giving cultural and historical context to the Soho Theatre audience without breaking the lively rhythms of the play and slowing down into a seminar.

Many aspects of the stories laced throughout Aboud’s script transcend culture and heritage – which queer woman hasn’t fallen in love with her straight best friend – and capture both extremes of joy and pain in the queer experience. But the core thesis of Aboud’s play, and what sets it apart as a uniquely astute piece of theatre, is the roots of homophobia in historically oppressed Caribbean nations, and how centuries of colonial subjection have influenced attitudes that persist today.

Each of the three cast members - Nicholle Cherrie, Charlotte Dowding and Yolanda Ovide – are irresistibly charismatic. Under Mariama Devers’ brilliant movement direction, these actors bring a staggeringly powerful and joyful energy to the stage. 

The cast are measured and eloquent in presenting Aboud’s argument for the dismantling of oppressive, traditional play structures, and show astonishing control and nuance as they navigate a range of characters, experiences and intense emotions. Particularly moving is the long-distance coming out over the phone between Nicholle Cherrie and Yolanda Ovide; we’ve never seen such a real depiction of coming out before and it’s painfully, beautifully, devastatingly poignant to watch.

Splintered is a sharp, witty, wild and warm play. Especially if you are a queer woman or have roots in the Caribbean, you can’t afford not to see this production. You will laugh, you will cry, you will rage, you will be delighted to be alive and be gay.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett

Splintered plays at Soho Theatre until 29 April, with further information here.