A STRANGE LOOP |  Directed by Steven Brackett

This captivating performance at the Barbican showcases the remarkable odyssey of a black, queer writer, delving into his encounters with maturity, self-realisation, prejudice, familial challenges, and self-acceptance. This under 2-hour-long depiction of the protagonist is unflinchingly authentic and immersive.

 

The outstanding display evokes memories of Disney’s 'Inside Out,' but delves into more profound and mature concepts. We are met with Usher, the protagonist and his 5 thought icons. Albeit a vapid job as a Disney usher, he has a deep passion for writing. We see Usher struggling to balance his day job with his aspirations of penning the next groundbreaking musical which he has decided to base on his own experiences. 

 

An exploration of negative self-perception drives a majority of this show. Usher is weighed down by conflicting thoughts and often retreats into his own mind to escape, but unfortunately, this only exacerbates the problem. In real life, the 26-year-old writer is struggling with writer's block because he feels constrained by the expectation to conform to the "generic route" followed by other successful black filmmakers, such as Tyler Perry, rather than being able to express his unique vision. Furthermore, his relationship with his family is quite disorderly, and he struggles to communicate his feelings and wishes. It's not helpful that his family views him as a wrongdoer and believes his queerness is ‘just a phase’.

 

Throughout the piece, I was enrapt by the scenes, the lively songs, the engaging choreography, the marvellous, flamboyant costumes and the set design including lighting and props. They had all been paired flawlessly and I was fully involved in Usher's endeavours till the end. The talented cast delivered convincing performances that fully immersed me in Usher's story until the very end. While the play touched on provocative themes related to racial prejudices, I appreciated how it approached these topics in a lighthearted ‘comical’ way. This approach helped to ease any potential tension in the room, which was especially important given the diverse makeup of the audience. 

 

In my opinion, the success of this play, despite its heavy subject matter, lies in the fact that its protagonist is relatable and elicits sympathy from a universal audience.

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Floppi recommends this play! It offers inspiration for all types of creatives and runs until September 9th at the Barbican Theatre.

 

If you’ve seen this production, what are your thoughts on it, we’d love to know! 

 

>> TRIGGER WARNING | Some of the themes featured in A Strange Loop may be triggering to some audience members. The age guidance for the production is 16+. The production includes explicit language, references to racism, sexual assault, homophobia and scenes of an adult nature. The show uses strobe, flashing lights, haze, smoke and sudden loud noises.