Upper Cut: Unravelling UK Black politics

It’s strange watching a play that depicts a life that you know so well, a life and lives that you’ve seen up close and personal, albeit at a distance.

That was my experience last night watching Juliet Gilkes Romero’s moving play; Upper cut, at the Southwark Theatre last night.

The semi -fictional characters convey a history of Black political life, and party political struggle over a thirty year period in reverse. The brilliantly played protagonists both start their political careers in very different places. One’s an angry impatient idealist-Michael- ensconced in the Black power movement which helped ferment the rise of Labour party's  Black sections, which of course produced the first four BME MP’s including Diane Abbott. The other actor -Karen- is more of a pragmatist knowing how to work the party line to ensure she could find favour within the party machine.

But as time goes by their positions radically change.  Karen, the pragmatist, becomes shockingly frustrated that institutional racism within political parties, in particular her own-the Labour Party- would pay little or no regard to the death of Black youths murdered in a house party from an arson attack, which in many ways mirrored the infamous ‘New Cross', tragedy.  In contrast, Michael,  her friend/lover becomes enamoured by power and is readily willing to bend and comprise to ensure his inexorable rise to power.

The issues this powerful play throws up, therefore, become all too relevant today: racism, and sexism within political  parties;  political integrity or the lack of it; and the ‘House of Cards’, dark figures who help or hinder all those who seek political office.

Juliet’s play is an artistic triumph in and of itself, but what makes the play outstanding is its relevance for those who would simply like to better understand politics or racial politics over last few decades and  for those who might consider themselves embarking on a political path for one of many reasons.

It’s the first time too I’ve seen a play at the Southwark playhouse. It’s a wonderful venue.  You feel you’re almost on the stage with the actors feeling their roller coaster journey, without being too intrusive.

The play is still on until the 7th Feb.

http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-little/upper-cut/

Well done, Juliet!

Simon Woolley