ATN Review: 1800 Acres
 Cathy Tyson, stars as a wealthy woman on a mission to start afresh on a ranch in Texas with her son, having left her Brooklyn past and husband behind. The transition is less than smooth as the arrival of an assertive and savvy African-American woman to West Texas is greeted with hostility by the ranches original owner.
It becomes a battle of wills but she refuses to back down on her right to be there and set up home and a business.This is despite various attempts made to sabotage their home and new beginning.
However, it’s not just unsettling for the original owner who likes a drink; her son has his own way of dealing with change and being one of two African-Americans for many miles to come. The son is played remarkably well by Tobi Bakare as he maintains a strong American accent throughout. It is revealed that he buries himself in the sand as a coping mechanism for all the negativity that is happening around him.
He manages to persuade his mother to join him in the ritual and she realises that it’s important for her to do so in order to understand her son more. This isn’t understood by the ex-owner of the ranch who is quick to condemn their actions but this incident is the catalyst to them resolving their differences.
The play examines our relationship with nature, dealing with change and spirituality in an often amusing and thought-provoking manner.
Fellow cast members include Tony Boncza and Mark Field.
1800 Acres is showing at the Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL until 12 October 08
Box office: +44 (0) 20 8237 1111
Ticket prices: £17.50, £14.00 Concession, £10.00 | Sat 11 Oct, 2.30pm |
