Chickenshed is known for their huge, dynamic casts which span an inspiring range of ages and abilities; The Wrong They Knew (directed by Bethany Hamlin and Michael Bossisse) is certainly no different. Set in 1950s London, the story explores a segregated neighbourhood in the midst of social and political unrest.
The musicality (musical direction by Cara McInanny and Phil Haines) really shines throughout the show and, for me, was a particular highlight. Seamlessly weaving cultural carnival beats with the prejudiced protests of the opposed, the juxtaposition of the two segregated sides is made all the more clear. Each number helps you sympathise even further as you watch these minority communities continue to find joy and music even in the darkest of times.
I do think that the show could benefit from becoming more streamlined. Sitting at over two hours and featuring 20 original songs, it's certainly an impressive run-time but ultimately it is too long. The story is well developed with various characters deeply explored, however a few songs did overlap and focused on very similar themes/plot points. A few numbers could be removed from the performance and I think it would still feel just as well developed and layered.
Despite the nature of the production, the cast still features a large number of children, adding a really interesting perspective to the story. Ajani Onaolapo does a particularly fantastic job as Theo Rookeley Junior, adding that childlike charisma and heartbreaking vulnerability to an already weighted storyline. It adds a really interesting dynamic and demonstrates just how much the civil rights movement bled through and affected everyone, no matter your age.
I will say that this does, however, leave you a tad confused as to the audience that this is intended for. It would be a really strong, family-friendly tool to help educate children on such an important historical era, but there are some incredibly heavy and potentially triggering plotlines that may not be appropriate for younger kids.
Overall, The Wrong They Knew is incredibly ambitious with some really strong moments and performances. It's always remarkable to see the work that Chickenshed puts into maintaining consistent diversity and accessibility within their cast and crew; it's certainly no small feat to put on a show of this calibre and weight. With some small tweaks, it could be a beautifully striking visual aid to help educate young people in the history of the civil rights movement.
Playing at Chickenshed Theatre until 28th March
Review: Bethany Chandler