“YOU’LL learn that how you are perceived when you walk into a room is the highest currency you have.” This message emblazons itself throughout Nathanial Martello-White’s second play, Torn on now at the Royal Court Theatre, following his remarkable debut, Blackta, in 2012.
Roger Griffiths (Brian) and Jamael Westman (Brotha) in Torn
Using an unnervingly basic set, designed by Ultz, flooded with harsh light, we watch as the Brooks, a mixed-race family from South London, enter a room cluttered with chairs. The play’s protagonist, Angel played by Adelle Leonce has called a family meeting and the audience soon realise that no one is going anywhere until the “truth” is told, as Angel commandingly locks her family and the audience in.
The set up echoes an AA meeting; plastic chairs, polystyrene cups and a hot water urn. It’s clear that the siblings, cousins, aunts and parents are not often bought together in this way and once the torrent of dialogue begins, overlapping and aggressive, the result is completely explosive.
Adelle Leonce as Angel and James Hillier as Steve in Torn
Torn is written with very powerful language and precisely structured so that family history and memories intertwine with each other, dramatically bringing together past, present and future. Martello White’s dialogue is streetwise and potent, yet so poetic at the same time. He asks a lot from his audience, requiring them to be active, understanding and engaged at all times.
Indra OvÇ (1st Twin) and James Hillier (Steve)
Adelle Leonce leads a stellar ensemble to craft this deeply moving story of a family who failed to protect their child. Leonce’s performance is compelling and totally believable, as we invest in her journey, her pain and her despair. Credit must also go the First Twin, Angel’s wayward mother played spectacularly by Indra Ové. Leonce and Ové perform wonderfully side by side, as their fraught mother-daughter relationship is brought under the spotlight.
Jamael Westman (Brotha) and Adelle Leonce (Angel)
The only difficulty with this play comes with trying to keep up with the precise family relationships, due to the overlapping speech and the small amount of time dedicated to explaining who is who. Despite this, it is certainly worth the concentration to decipher this dark family history and watch secrets and lies unravel in front of you in this powerful and bold ninety minute piece.
By Heather Doughty
Torn runs at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs until October 15, 2016. @royalcourt @indraove@adelleleonce
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS
Box office tel: 020 7565 5000
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