In the intimate surroundings of London’s Jermyn Street Theatre, a powerful and emotional production is gracing the stage. The Lonely Londoners, a new play adapted by Roy Williams from Sam Selvon’s acclaimed novel offers raw honesty and emotional depth. Set in 1956 London, The Lonely Londoners delves into the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants grappling with the complexities of identity, belonging and the search for connection to city that can be both welcoming and alienating.
The play follows the intertwining stories of seven characters as they navigate the challenges of life in a place they consider to be the Mother Country. Central to the action is Moses, played with cheeky charm by Gamba Cole. Moses has been established in London for 10 years after moving from Trinidad and is able to provide advice and support for fellow Caribbean immigrants even though he is still just scraping by.
He’s friends with Big City, played by Gilbert Kyem Jnr in a performance that shows both power and subtle depth, and Lewis (a charismatic Tobi Bakare) and they both rely on Moses for cigarettes and guidance. They are joined by newcomer to London, Galahad, played with an infectious energy by Romario Simpson, who arrives with optimism and dreams of establishing himself in the city before he discovers he has to deal with racism, discrimination and the harsh realities of life in London.
The play unfolds as a series of scenes which are a mix of interactions between the characters we see and monologues delivered to characters we don’t get to see. Along the way we meet Agnes (Shannon Hayes), Lewis’s wife who has a strength and pride even though her husband is abusive towards her, and Tanty (Carol Moses), Lewis’s stoic mother who sides with her daughter-in-law against her son.
The final character we meet is Christina who at times becomes quite ethereal when she is portrayed through a mixture of song and movement and at other times played with straight drama. It’s a diverse role which Aimee Powell pulls off with aplomb.
The set design is minimalist yet effective and comprises seven boxes which the characters remain on at the back of the stage when they are not involved in a scene. The only other props a gun, a knife and a hip flask which hang on the wall on one side of the stage until they come into play at various points during the performance. This minimalism, together with Ebenezer Bamgboye’s brisk and free-flowing direction, allows the focus to be purely on the characters and the themes of the play.
Roy Williams’ adaptation successfully weaves wit and pathos, highlighting the resilience and humour the Windrush generation used to navigate their challenging circumstances. The script avoids melodrama by presenting the characters’ struggles with honesty and sensitivity. One moment the audience is laughing at Big City getting London place names wrong (he thought Hammersmith was Hammerstring) and the next moment we are confronted with the harsh realities of racism and economic hardship through the eyes of the characters.
However, perhaps the most powerful aspect of The Lonely Londoners is its message of resilience and hope. Despite the challenges they face, the characters refuse to be worn down by their circumstances and they find strength and solace in their bonds of friendship. London can be a lonely place especially when you are facing hardship, but you’re never really lonely when you have friends.
For anyone seeking an evening of thought-provoking drama and memorable performances, this production is well worth watching.
Need to know: The Lonely Londoners is at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 6 Apr 2024
