Liberty Buckland and Alex Spinney in Yarico at the London Theatre Workshop. Picture: Honeybunn Photography
Yarico continues at the London Theatre Workshop until 14 March.
Star rating: 3 stars ★ ★ ★
Producers John Kidd and his daughter Jodie draw attention to the unsettling, rarely performed story of Yarico through their powerful re-imagining of the 17th century story of a young woman sold into slavery.
The tale of the eponymous Amerindian woman employs a theme seen regularly in musical theatre – a heroine who falls in love instantly with a stranger from a distant world only to suffer disaster.
However, not many works deal with the consequences of a man gambling away his wife and selling her into servitude. The focus on slavery as the backdrop to the play creates a complex and dark piece of theatre with political and cultural significance. The show has a book and lyrics by Carl Miller, music by James McConnel and lyrics by Paul Leigh.
Sarah Beaton’s set design enhances the intimate space by creating the small, secluded island in which Yarico meets the ‘ghost people’ – the visitors from England, who will change her life forever.
Liberty Buckland is strong as Yarico. In the first half of the play, she reflects the naivety and shyness of the character and establishes believable chemistry with Alex Spinney ‘s Thomas Inkle. Standout moments between the pair include the idealised scene in the cave as they recognise their similarities by ‘teaching’ each other their languages through song.
Buckland also works well with Tori Allen-Martin who plays the eccentric Nono. Allen-Martin has brilliant comic timing and demands the attention of the audience as a standout performer.
Act I, which relies on the comedy behind the clash of cultures, suffers from pacing issues because the narrative is slowed by exposition.
However, the second half of the piece truly excels as we experience Yarico’s desolation when she is sold to the pompous Lady Worthy (Charlotte E Hamblin) and her husband the Governor (Adam Vaughan). The cast works together cohesively and performs a number of powerful numbers including ‘Give Me My Name’ and ‘Spirit Eternal’.
Yarico, directed by Emily Gray, is a thoughtful piece of musical theatre with real potential. With small changes in narrative pacing, this show could be a success.
Rebecca Gordon
www.londontheatreworkshop.co.uk
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