Picture: Geraint Lewis
Coming To England continues at the Birmingham Rep until 16 April 2022.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Consideration. Courage. Confidence: Floella Benjamin’s Three Cs to success, and what a success Coming To England is. Adapted for the stage from Floella’s award-winning book by the brilliant David Wood, this is the perfect show for all the family, a bright, uplifting and honest musical journey.
Coming To England tells the true inspirational story of Baroness Floella Benjamin of Beckenham, the much-loved presenter of children’s programmes including Play School, Play Away and Fast Forward. At the age of ten, Floella travels from Trinidad to the United Kingdom with her three siblings to meet her waiting parents, who came over as part of the Windrush generation.
Floella is somehow able to turn ever obstacle thrown in her path into a positive, from cruel neighbours to harsh teachers and racial slurs in the playground. “Keep smiling,” she says, “because winners smile.”
Paula Kay portrays Floella and has you smiling throughout, thanks to her warm personality and excellent storytelling. She guides the viewer through the twists and turns of Floella’s adolescence and treats the audience to a stunning rendition of the classic tune ‘Smile’ in Act II. Kay navigates the delicate balance between the serious and lighthearted with a confident ease. It’s incredibly special to watch Kay portray her first childhood role model.
Amidst the beautiful singing and truthful acting, Bree Smith is a standout in her role as Marmie. She finds the motherly warmth and caring nature of the character and is able to convincingly flip into various other roles. Smith, along with Yazmin Belo, Tarik Frimpong, Nesah Gonzales, Dale Mathurin, Jay Marsh, Kojo Kamara, Connor Ewing and Caitlin Drake, all multi-role to create the sparkling energy that fills the theatre with hope and faith.
From the second the show opens to the moment it finishes, the cast is brimming with joy and presence, so much so that they are able to re-create a realistic carnival on stage with only ten people. The actors are continuously playful and welcoming, which eases the audience into the interactive sections of the show.
Omar Okai has directed and choreographed this show to perfection, and the costumes, designed by Louie Whitemore, enhance the world on stage which is decorated in fluffy clouds and the occasional neon butterfly with matching flowers (set and lighting by Bretta Gerecke). The boat scene, along with the those in the homes and playgrounds, highlight the action extremely well.
An all round winner of a musical journey. This is not to be missed.
Alex Allison
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