Theatre Review: 'Family Secrets'@ The Lost Theatre, London

Hot on the heels of coming-of-age piece ‘Misidentity’ which enjoyed an acclaimed run earlier in the year, this Autumn Stepping Stonez Productions present the intriguingly titled ‘Family Secrets’ written by Silvano Griffith-Francis and directed by Serge Rashidi-Zakuani, co-founder of Stepping Stonez.

Ruth née Matthews (Griffith-Francis) is a successful career woman, designer clothes horse...and battered wife.  Desperate to keep up appearances she hides her husband Adrian (Sheldon Nichols)’s abusive behaviour from her loving family.  Junior sister Naomi (Raquel Larnyoh) is preparing to get married.  The supposedly excited bride-to-be is privately cracking under the stress of wedding arrangements. The youngest Matthews, talented musician Zach (Sanchez Brown) is struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his faith.  Presiding over them all is God-fearing matriarch Shirley (Latoya Louis).

A seemingly happy family covering up grim secrets is an enticing premise; the problem here is that the execution doesn’t live up to the promise.

Whilst ‘Misidentity’s young cast delivered assured, convincing performances , ‘Family Secrets’ ensemble are a lot more...green shall we say.  Almost without exception the acting is either very wooden or bafflingly melodramatic, not to mention the tendency to gabble lines.  It is more behove of an awkwardly performed school play than quality fringe theatre.  It doesn’t help that the script has a soap opera clumsiness to it; inauthentic dialogue, embarrassing stereotypes, token European cast members, unrealistic plot devices (for example if Ruth’s family are as close and supportive as they are portrayed, how is it every one of them is completely oblivious to the domestic violence situation?)...  

There are very obvious pacing problems throughout the piece too, the blame for which can be laid squarely at Rashidi-Zakuani’s door.  The effect is unintentionally farcical.  Many a guffaw could be heard from the audience at inappropriate moments. This is a crying shame because the play commendably attempts to tackle some heavy matters.  There are rare moments of insight but ‘Family Secrets’ lacks the necessary components to address these issues with the skill and experience required.  There is however, one thing to recommend this production and that’s Richard Mulenda’s beguiling acoustic soundtrack.

As with Tyler Perry’s theatrical endeavours and certain other TV, film and stage efforts flying the Christian banner, ‘Family Secrets’ underestimates the intelligence of its audience.  At every opportunity the Gospel message is shoehorned into proceedings at the expense of credibility. It is possible for Christian writers to be true to and open about what they believe.  It is also possible for all the essential elements to come together organically.  It’s unfortunate that this doesn't happen nearly enough.

Creative Team:

Written by Silvano Griffith-Francis

Director - Serge Rashidi-Zakuani
Music - Richard Mulenda

Cast:

Ruth –Silvano Griffith-Francis

Adrian- Sheldon Nichols

Naomi- Raquel Larnyoh

Zach- Sanchez Brown

John/Jeff- Paul Blair

Shirley- Latoya Louis

Clive- Yazz Fetto

Peter/Carlos- Anyebe Godwin

Daniel- Ennis Langdon

Michelle- Sabrina-Marie Taylor

Marlon/Officer Hinds/Doctor- Uzoma Isichei

Officer Clarke/Care Line operator- Dorcas Olatunji

‘Family Secrets’ @the Lost Theatre until 20 November.