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Coming To England Review

Reviewed by Amber at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal
Tickets for Coming to England were gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England is bright exploration of how migration can change and challenge people, told through the voice of the creator herself as a young girl moving to England from Trinidad. 

The cast of Coming To England. Photo by Mark Senior

Whilst the show is aimed at families with children aged seven and beyond, it doesn’t shy away from the darker moments in Floella’s life, recounting days spent with her foster placement in Trinidad whilst her parents worked in England to set up a new life, or the racial intolerance rearing its ugly head through all aspects of Floella’s life in England.

The cast work hard to capture these moments, taking on a series of bright, energetic and distinctive characters to flood the stage to life. Julene Robinson captures the child-like wonder and fear of moving across the world to start a new life – with a formidable voice to boot.

Maryla Abraham also shone as Marmie, Floella’s mother and greatest advice-giver. She gives a beautiful performance as a stern but nurturing mum who understands the weight of her sacrifice to bring her children to England and start a new life. 
During the evening’s performance I was invited to, Kamarane Grant played the roles of Cynthia and Auntie and never missed a step, covering for fellow cast member Taya Ming with confidence.

The cast, despite being made up entirely of adults, give energy and youthfulness throughout the production, making scenes such as the voyage across the ocean to England chaotically engaging. The show carried  a constant buzz of joy through the characterisations of Floella’s five siblings – the dynamics felt authentic and played into the joy of the show even further.

The cast of Coming To England. Photo by Mark Senior 

The lighting design for this show was particularly impressive, bringing about cool summer days and carnival festivities one moment, to grey drizzle and the monochrome tones of 1960’s televisions the next. Rachel Luff and Will Hayman’s designs really filled the stage and auditorium, inviting audiences to dance and celebrate at the end of show with Floella’s family.

It was encouraging and inspiring to see the amount of families at this particular show – grandparents bringing curious children who had never heard of Floella before. The shows serves as the perfect introduction to such a powerfully determined and inspirational figure, a woman who has a smile which lights up any room. Her warmth and desire to bring about equality for all is the main message in the fabulously uplifting true-life tale – alongside the advice we all should smile in the face of adversity.

Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England is a perfect start to opening up conversations about race, inequality and being kind to all – not just for children but for adults too, who may not understand the depth of the Windrush generation’s effect on England as a country, and the rich cultural experiences we as a country have gained from families like Floella’s making the journey to England all those years ago.

If you are ready to take your child to a beautifully moving and energetic show, then this is the one to go for.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England plays at Nottingham Theatre Royal until 01/02/25, then continues its tour across the UK. Tickets can be found here: https://www.comingtoengland.com/

The cast of Coming To England. Photo by Mark Senior


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