Fences is one of those plays that has become a household name, and rightly so. It’s a classic, just like a Shakespearean play that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
Written by August Wilson, Fences is set in 1957 America. It tells the story of Troy (Ray Fearon) and Rose (Madeline Appiah), a married couple trying to raise their family. They are navigating the struggles of everyday life whilst trying to make ends meet.
Troy has two sons. Lyons (Michael Ahomka-Lindsay), from a previous relationship, is an aspiring musician. Cory (Josh Twdeku), his younger son with Rose, dreams of becoming a professional American football player. But Troy has his own ideas about how his sons should live their lives. His bitterness about the opportunities he never had often gets in the way of their dreams.
Rose, meanwhile is trying to keep her family together. She is also trying to stand her ground in a marriage that becomes increasingly difficult.
As the story unfolds, we begin to see how Troy’s anger, resentment and inability to deal with his own past affect everyone around him. Secrets come to light and relationships begin to break down. The family are left dealing with the consequences of his actions.
What really made this production was the direction by Daniel Bailey and the fantastic acting of the entire cast. I had goosebumps throughout, and that never happens!
Ray Fearon stole the show as Troy. His performance captured both the vulnerable and aggressive sides of the character. There were moments when I felt sorry for him and understood how his past had shaped the man he had become. But then he would display such anger and cruelty that I found myself despising him. It takes a great performance to make you feel so many conflicting emotions towards one character.
For me, Troy’s story also highlights how important it is for men to acknowledge their emotions and seek help when they need it. So much of his anger stems from the trauma he experienced growing up with an abusive father. But rather than breaking that cycle, he carries those behaviours into his own family and treats his sons in ways that cause them pain.
It makes you wonder how different things might have been if Troy had been able to process his trauma and manage his anger instead of allowing it to destroy the relationships around him.
Madeline Appiah (Rose) was phenomenal. She was tender, loving and patient, but she also knew when to stand her ground. I loved the moments when she spoke up for herself and refused to let Troy dictate everything. My heart broke for her when she discovered what Troy had been doing behind her back. You could feel the pain of a woman who had given so much of herself to her family.
I also loved that this version gave Rose moments to sing. It reminded us that she was more than just Troy’s wife. She had dreams and aspirations of her own, and there was a whole person behind the role she had spent so much of her life fulfilling.
Josh Twdeku (Cory) was brilliant too. I could really see his passion and determination, but also his frustration with Troy and his desire to be given the chance to pursue his own dreams. It was heartbreaking to watch their relationship unfold because you could see how much Troy’s behaviour affected his son.
Michael Ahomka-Lindsay brought a different energy to the family. He was fun and engaging, and I enjoyed seeing how his outlook on life contrasted with Cory’s. Every actor brought something special to the production, and the performances felt so believable throughout.
The only thing I would say is that the play is lengthy. I can’t lie, three hours is a long time to sit through a play! The pacing is slow, particularly in the first hour, and I did find myself wishing things would move along a little quicker. But that is part of August Wilson’s style, allowing everyday conversations and relationships to unfold gradually, so I can’t complain too much.
Overall, Fences is a powerful and moving piece of theatre with fantastic acting and a story that still resonates today. It explores how unresolved trauma can be passed down through generations and how the people we love can sometimes be the ones who hurt us the most.
I would recommend watching Fences in a heartbeat.
NEED TO KNOW: Fences plays at the Lyric Hammersmith until 31 Oct 2026 | See remaining tour dates
