ATN Review: In the Red and Brown Water - A European Premiere
reviewed by Abiola Lawal
Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Young Vic, The Cut

Set in Louisiana, this play tells the story of our heroine, Oya (Ony Uhiara), a young African-American girl full of athletic potential and dreams. However Oya has to turn away from her promising future to care for her ailing mother, Mama Moja (Adjoa Andoh). Guided by the charismatic & hilarious Aunty Elegua ( Noble), Oya soon finds herself torn between 2 men; the handsome but conceited Shango (Walters) & the gentle Ogun (Prince). Once again sensibility overrides passion & Oya finds herself struggling to regain purpose in her life.

Tarell Alvin McCraney combines old Yoruba mythology & present day African-American life to create a powerfully poetic story of what happens when we do not grab our chance to be successful in life. My only grievance with this production was the stage directions being a part of the script. Although sometimes humorous, it often took away from the actors’ actions & expressions, a significant part of stage acting. Nonetheless ‘In The Red & Brown Water’ is very worth seeing if only to catch the self-assured & insightful performance from Little Elegba (MacMillan).