Ticket was gifted in return for an honest review
"Quarters to Dollars, Dollars To Dreams"
This motif runs throughout Dave Harris' pulsating comedy satire play. This is a unique piece of theatre which will have you thinking long after the curtain falls on the performance.
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| Samuel Clifford (Tambo) and Daniel Ward (Bones). Photo by Jane Hobson. |
The show follows the titular Tambo (Clifford Samuel) and Bones (Daniel Ward) throughout three time periods in the US as the pair try to battle through oppression, racism and make their dreams a reality.
The initial period sees the duo in the past down on their luck performing in a Minstrel show. The design by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and ULTZ richly places us in an American countryside. Tambo is more focused on getting a good nap whilst the ambitious Bones strives for quarters from the audience. Breaking the fourth wall he begs the audience to fill his hat. He determination sees him go to great lengths even performing a dangerous knife act in order to get the audience on board. Together they realise their ambitions to escape the act and drive forward their ambitions.
The second section jumps to a modern day period as the pair are now rap stars ahead of a big concert performance. The duo are electrifying performing Excalibah's music with real flair. The skill both Samuel and Ward bring to this section is gripping to watch. Through the loudness and the bright lights there are thoughtful lyrics and emotions in the delivery. It all leads to the looming Civil War which is about to break and Tambo and Bones want to be front and centre of the societal change.
After the interval we jump 400 years later as now Samuel and David are seemingly themselves as ancestors of Tambo and Bones in the aftermath of the Civil War that has torn America and the world apart. The future sees the white population wiped out and greater racial divide. Samuel and David ae on stage with their two robots who they program to destroy and kill only for the faulty robots to need their own destroying which leads to a thought provoking ending as the characters simply exit the stage.
At the end of the show there is no curtain call and now bows. After this initial period of silence there is an announcement that the audience are welcome to stay in their seats for up to a period of 15 minutes if they wish to sit and reflect on the themes that are discussed throughout the show. There is also a sensory space available before, during and after the performance and qualified therapists on hand to offer support to anyone who needs it.
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| Samuel Clifford (Tambo) and Daniel Ward (Bones). Photo by Jane Hobson. |
Director Matthew Xia does a magnificent job of bringing to life Harris' play. The heavy themes are often lifted with a bit of humour which stops the piece from delving into what could easily be a really dark tone. Though there is a lightness to the tone the is no hiding away from the racism and consequences that the oppressed black people feel. It's clear in the text that whilst we are in America that racism is still an international issue that divides as much today as ever.
The drive of the whole show is brought to life with real skill by both Clifford Samuel and Daniel Ward. Both are excellent and engaging throughout. Their own explorations of the characters emotions and feelings are compelling to watch. They bring the laughter, the hip-hop beats and also great pathos when required.
Mention must also go to Jaron Lammens and Dru Cripps as X-Bots in the future. The Robots that are used to show the audience the events of the civil war and the impact it has. Their popping and robitc movements are remarkable to watch. The choreographed kinetic movement is superb.. Their is one moment by Cripps that is so geniously realised and left me wondering just how he pulled it off.
This is not a play for the prudish, there is frequent use of strong and racial language and the n word is used frequently throughout. The racial themes are explored with a real refreshing openness. Harris does not shy away from anything in his work.
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| Daniel Ward (Bones) and Samuel Clifford (Tambo). Photo by Jane Hobson. |
I left not being sure who the target audience was for the play. Is it for a white audience, is it for a black audience or is it simply for both? Whomever it is for then you are kept hooked by the electrifying performances by Samuel and Ward and the fast paced action that unfolds. Undeniably this is a unique and thought-provoking piece that will have you deeply in those thoughts as you leave the auditorium.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tambo and Bones plays at Royal and Derngate until Saturday 15th March 2025. Tickets are available from https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/tambo-and-bones/
The production then tours visiting Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse (26th - 29th March), HOME in Manchester (1st - 5th April), Belgrade Theatre in Coventry (9th - 12th April), Stratford East Theatre (29th April - 10th May) and Leeds Playhouse (14th - 24th May 2025). Tickets and more details can be found at https://www.atctheatre.com/production/tambo-bones-2025/
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