AD-Gifted
The Color Purple is in Salford and painting the town, well, purple! And wow, do I wish I had found this show earlier. It is one powerful production that will stay with me for a long, long time.
There is a trigger warning you need to be aware of – this show contains themes of rape, abuse and incest, with overt racism and sexism. It approaches these topics with painful truth but never loses you in sorrow. There is laughter and fun to enjoy as the characters you meet find their happiness.
Don’t forget to read my review of Sister Act
The Colour Purple is a saga
It spans from 1904 to 1941 in the Southern United States where life is very different. Women are treated like property and racism is rife but by the end of this story, prosperity is a possibility.
Celie has been abused since childhood and finds the oppression only worsens as she ages. She’s farmed off to ‘Mister’ who bullies, beats and belittles her. Worse still, he removes all contact with her adoring sister, Nettie.
Isolated and lonely, soon an introduction to glamourous singer, Shug Avery, changes her trajectory for the better. She finds her hope, her voice and experiences love for the first time. Life might not be so damming after all.
Masterful storytelling
There is a whole load of infectious music and singing in this show, but the acting was so crucial it felt more a play. I have never been so invested in each character.
I harboured what felt like pure hate for Mister (AKO MITCHELL). Gosh, I’ve never wanted to scream so much. The feminist in me raging. Celie (ME’SHA BRYAN) powered a surge of sympathy but also such pride when she speaks up.
I was aching to be best friends with Sofia (ANELISA LAMOLA) who was way ahead of her time. And bursting with happiness whenever ‘Doris’, ‘Darlene’ and ‘Jarene’ (KAREN MAVUNDUKURE, ROSEMARY ANNABELLA NKRUMAH AND KAYLA CARTER) took to the stage like the muses from Hercules. They are fully realised characters performed by actors with exemplary skill.
Soulful sound & subtle sight
The gospel music is luscious and the soulful sounds adds real depth to this epic story. It’s an easy listen with riffs that made my skin tingle. The score perfectly coexists with the story as the music is able to draw out feelings and emotion that words cannot. There is not one bad song or bad note from this cast of super stars.
The staging was effortlessly simple with huge wooden slates that revealed two holes, of which gracefully transformed into a grocery store, small church and porch. Soft projection was subtle enough that it didn’t detract from the action on stage and clear enough that it enhanced the set, with fields blowing in the wind to waves crashing in the sea.
The Color Purple is heart-breaking yet hopeful. Tear jerking yet joyous. It was a rollercoaster of emotion and I’ve never felt so human.
Playing at The Lowry in Salford until Saturday 15 October 2022.
Image credits: Manuel Harlan