Mixing drama, spoken word, and rap music, Mitchell Wilson, an actor from Middlesbrough, has released his debut solo one man show, It’s All Just Timing. An online production which, while sometimes resembling a TED Talk, is an innovative piece of new theatre.
Commanding the stage on his own for the solo performance, Mitchell Wilson opens with a hip-hop number, we learn as the piece progresses that the music is penned by Ethan Azam, Wilson’s lifelong friend and “right hand man”. The music returns, segmenting the play between spoken word and rap, with the latter playing a huge part in progressing the story.
Yet this isn’t traditional storytelling, you’ll struggle to find a full narrative arc, but what you get instead is far more inspiring. Wilson’s story, and performance, is truly heartfelt and brimming with a motivation to succeed. Indeed, the spoken sections often come across as motivational talks, and you find yourself feeling energised.
This feels like a very honest piece of work, Wilson speaks of a time when he and Azam drifted apart, and the consequences that had on their relationship. There are also moments when perceived failures took a heavy toll on his feelings of self-worth.
Yet, it’s positivity which shines through. Wilson’s play and Azam’s music seems to move the rap genre forward, from a position of being anti-establishment to seeking true social reform. The work screams social consciousness, and it is dedication to their craft which takes the spotlight.
Directed by Thomas Gelder, the filmed production of It’s All Just Timing uses stripped back staging to allow the audience to focus on Wilson’s performance. Some of the camera angles are initially distracting, but the audience can soon settle in to it, soaking up the words of wisdom that come from a lived experience.
“Big things are coming” says Wilson, and that’s probably true given the talent on display here, both as an actor and rap artist, Wilson’s passionate performance is seductive in its honesty. It’s All Just Timing is a well written piece, that will not only entertain an audience, but inspire them to think about their own goals and how to achieve them.
It’s All Just Timing is currently available to stream on Vimeo.
