Award-winning actress and reggae singer, Sutara Gayle aka Lorna Gee, invites you into a dreamscape experience; sharing moments in her life, told through songs in this one-woman performance written and performed by herself – The Legends of Them.
Gayle’s dynamic relationship with her mother and her faith emerges as the most compelling aspect of the narrative. Throughout her journey, we hear echoes of her mother mentioning the Lord and the Bible; this seeps into all the crevices of her life, within her desire to become a singer and her sexuality. Near the end, Gayle re-enacts a moment with her mother on the phone, where she comes out as a lesbian. Her mother first responds with, “Well… what about the Bible?” but then tells her that she is her daughter, and she loves her. A moment that really defines the relationship between the two of them, and simply sums up her mother. A mother devoted to her faith and children.
At times, the non-linear narrative can be confusing and hard to follow. However, in some instances, it works well to provide context on Gayle’s character, to understand and see things the way she interprets certain memories. It also invites us to make sense of these specific moments, and question why she has ordered things in certain ways. A helpful tool could’ve been using the colours and lights with more urgency. While contributing to a beautifully vibrant atmosphere, they could have aided in informing audiences of characters and time shifts.
We jump from event to event, with her time in prison, moving from school to school, to the birth of her son. She shares these stories through humorous songs, keeping the audience entertained till she suddenly cuts off into a silence, and so does the audience, and the colourful lights dim. She moves on to the next story. Many of the big moments are expressed through highly energetic reggae songs. These are definitely the standouts. Especially her mother’s song about her beloved sewing machine and her chaotic school journey. Her songs are filled with humour and packed with detail, keeping the audience engaged. It is in these moments that the audience is really drawn into what Gayle has to say.
Though entertaining and humorous, Gayle does not hide the dark and traumatic moments she had experienced. It is here that we see more practical use of stage lighting to create tension and significance, with dark blue lights and smoke taking over the stage.
We see and hear everyone through Gayle, except her brother, Mooji. Uniquely, he is the only character who is voiced by himself through pre-recorded spoken words. This is an interesting artistic choice, highlighting his significance in Gayle’s life, spiritually guiding her through reflective moments. By the end, the audience is also invited by Mooji to join Gayle in reflecting on how memories shape us and our identities. We are asked to “close our eyes” and focus on the present, the now, and not think about the past or the future, offering us a meditative calm to take away – drawing a perfect conclusion to the performance.
Review by Rim Alkaiat
Featured Image: Sutara Gayle AKA Lorna Gee
Image Credit: Harry Elletson
The Legends of Them-Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/the-legends-of-them/
Read Abundant Art’s latest Review: “A Festive Cauldron of Fun”: Simon Armitage’s adaptation of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ Wows at Shakespeare’s Globe – until 5 January – Abundant Art
