Faith Omole has been awarded copious plaudits for her acting work on both the stage and screen. In addition to this she has written for both mediums. In her new play My Father’s Fable, this ability to switch between two very different styles of writing quickly comes across. Economically established characters – check. A speedily set up premise – check. Keeping us guessing throughout a two-hour production, never quite knowing who to trust and what people’s ulterior motives might be – check. All the ingredients are there for a thrilling, gripping and emotive drama and it largely succeeds.
Peace is having a tough time of it. The only Black teacher in a private school, she feels isolated and out of place. On top of this she is still grieving her deceased father. She then learns of a half brother she was not aware of named Bolu (Theo Ogundipe). He has flown to London for the first time from Nigeria – the homeland of Peace’s parents. Why was he never mentioned and what are his true intentions in suddenly entering Peace’s world? Her partner Roy – played warmly by Gabriel Akuwudike – of course has his suspicions but wants to support his other half as she endeavours to make a connection. Her mother Favour (Rakie Ayola), however, makes it her business to prevent Peace and Bolu from getting close.
Re-writing our own narratives, learning the true history of our ancestors and the idea of identity are all expertly explored here. Family dynamics, grief and secrets and lies are placed under the microscope but there is a great deal of comedy to complement the weighty material.
Much of the humour comes from Ayola. Showing up unannounced to her daughter’s home, it is not long before she is taking over the cooking from her daughter, who doesn’t know how to make jollof rice – a dish native to West Africa. There is a passive aggression to this controlling, woman who is also battling her own grief. Ayola effortlessly switches between the comedy (and is clearly having a ball in the role) and the darker aspects of this complex individual.
A tense, uneasy atmosphere permeates under the direction of Rebekah Murrell. Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting design adds to this along with bursts of music courtesy of Ayanna Witter-Johnson. In contrast to these more stylistic elements is a rather naturalistic set. Nothing is quite as it seems.
While some might complain that due to the thrust staging forcing the actors to have their backs to some of the audience, we occasionally miss certain lines. One could argue this again adds to our growing confusion as we endeavour to make sense of what is happening, just as Peace is. Well-acted and wonderfully written, My Father’s Fable is a show guaranteed to get people talking.
My Father’s Fable is at Bush Theatre until 27th July
