People of Theatre

Watching “Slave Play" was an experience that shook me to my core, but in a way that felt necessary and ultimately transformative. From the get-go, the play isn’t interested in making you comfortable. It starts with shocking, surreal scenes that challenge your perceptions of race, power, and desire, pulling you into a world that is both familiar and utterly alien.

The play starts in the antebellum South, with three interracial couples engaged in disturbing role-play scenarios. At first, I wasn’t sure how to react—was it okay to laugh at the absurdity, or should I be horrified by the implications? But as the scenes unfolded, it became clear that this was exactly the point. Jeremy O. Harris doesn’t let the audience off easy. Instead, he pulls us into the characters’ twisted games, only to strip everything away in the second act, revealing the psychological and emotional scars that these dynamics leave behind.

One of the standout performances for me was Fisayo Akinade as Gary. His portrayal was so raw and authentic, capturing the complex layers of a queer Black man who is both deeply wounded and fiercely resilient. Watching Gary navigate his relationship with Dustin, who remains oblivious to his own privilege, was a heartbreaking and powerful reminder of the emotional toll that racial dynamics can take. Akinade’s ability to blend vulnerability with simmering anger was truly impressive.

What I found refreshing about "Slave Play" was its disruptive, non-linear approach to storytelling. It’s not about following a straightforward narrative that ties everything up neatly, like a film you might watch on Netflix. Instead, it’s about the emotional and psychological impact it has on you as an audience member.

The play doesn’t just want you to understand something; it wants you to feel something, to leave the theatre changed in some way. This creative approach feels liberating, as it breaks away from traditional storytelling and focuses more on the internal shifts it provokes within us.

The set design also played a huge role in making the audience part of the experience. Mirrors surround the stage, reflecting us back at ourselves, making it impossible to just be a passive observer. I found myself constantly aware of my own reactions, wondering what they said about me and my own understanding of race and power.

It’s a powerful reminder that we’re all part of this conversation, whether we like it or not.