This is the story of the first Caribbean woman’s journey into space retold from her perspective, Ama (Donna Berlin). A life story that has been built upon the achievement of the number of firsts en route. However, despite her accolades and achievements, these have been brushed over and not fully embraced and celebrated by others. A tale which no doubt resonates with many, but in particular the mother – daughter or mothers v the rest relationships. Despite Ama giving her best and doing her best, she is faced with the dual reward of a lack of recognition or appreciation, most of all by her daughter Sola (Emmanuella Toure), for whom she was making the sacrifices.
Ama delivers a powerful performance from her suspending position mid-air, as she endeavours to complete the recording of a graduation message to her daughter and other students. We are exposed to select snippets of the Trinidadian origin of the story with interjection of Trinidadian dialect, which enriches the presentation of Ama’s story even more.
As we are told the challenges, joys and sadness through Ama’ story being the first Caribbean woman into space, her story is by no means unique. Many can and will recant similar tales of having all their efforts and dreams knocked down by others who adopt a contrasting perspective.
Sola expresses her angst with her mother because she interprets her behaviour from the perspective of abandonment whilst her mother pursues her dream.
This hour long performance manages to capture and grip the audience with a mother-daughter relationship set against a space travel backdrop. Overall a powerful and thought provoking performance which no doubt will lead to extensive discussion and debate late into the evening and beyond. Central to the discussion and debate may be the essence of Ama’s feeling, in her stand out and take-away comment “motherhood is a sacrifice”.
Rating: * * * *
Chasing Rainbows is running until 20 July at Hoxton Hall, London. For booking and more information: https://www.hoxtonhall.co.uk/event/chasing-rainbows/
Review by David Frederick, viewed on Wednesday 26th June 2019.
