Writer: Lorraine Hansberry

Director: Michael Buffong

Reviewer: John Roberts

The Public Reviews Rating:

A family is often the most fragile thing a person can belong too, and all too often we come across bitterness and tragedy and the always hopeful dream that can tear a family away from its roots of security and uplift them to unfounded territory, shaking the very existence that they once thought held them close.

Lorraine Hansberry’s play is set in the Southside of Chicago during the late 1950′s when segregation in society was still in full swing. The Younger family are working to survive an existence in a small apartment in a tenement block, so small that they have to share a bathroom with their neighbours. After the death of her husband family matriarch Lena Younger is about to receive a cheque for $10,000 in insurance money, making sure at last she has the chance to provide the things her family really need – College Tuition, A New Home and a better lifestyle for them all, But that is soon put to the test when son Walter Lee has other ideas, chasing a dream of running his own business he puts his own desires ahead of the needs of the rest of his family, bringing everything they know about their life, their herritage and themselves into question.

It is without doubt that Hansberry’s script has stood the test of time, the themes that cut through the play are as ever a reality today as they were over 50 years ago. Her writing is weaved with a fantastic flow and littered with a colour that can have you laughing one moment and in a state of disbelief the next.

Director Michael Buffong has brought together a first class cast and with his articulate eye has brought a much needed energy to a play that could easily become stagnant and far too static. He has managed to bring a strong and natural rapport into the characters relationships on stage that leave you in no doubt that you are indeed watching a family in turmoil.

Ray Fearon as Walter Lee has a real gravitas on stage, his exuberant stage presence and electrifying attack of the material is a rarity to behold and makes a much needed and welcome return to the stage after a 6 year absence.   Jenny Jules as put upon wife Ruth delicately balances her characters portrayal of a woman who wants the best for her family, but also the needs that she has longed for, for so long and provides a touching performance.

Tracey Ifeachor as Beneatha the daughter who longs to be a doctor gives a considered and articulate performance, which is beautifully coloured and textured and adds a much needed modern edge to the Younger family mix. Credit must also be given to the young actor playing Travis who on press night was Lyndon Rhoden who excels throughout providing a turn of an actor much older than his young 12 years would suggest.

But it is without no doubt that the decision to cast a Chicago born and bred actress to play the head of the Younger family was the right one, as Starletta DuPois was sensational from start to finish, giving us a masterclass in how family drama should be played out (no surprise considering over her career she has played both Beneatha and Ruth in previous productions)

The set is wonderfully conceived and designed by Ellen Cairns and moves away from the Exchangesmore minimalist approaches to stage design to provide a busy and highly realistic setting for this cutting and powerful drama to take place.

Raisin in the Sun is one of those plays that you may only see once if your life and I would urge you to get to the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre and witness one of their strongest and most powerful productions to have been staged in recent years…this has the hallmarks of a classic production and credit must be given to a wonderful cast and a director with a clear and concise vision.

Photos: Jonathan Keenan – Runs until 20th February

A Raisin in the Sun - Royal Exchange, Manchester, 4.4 out of 5 based on 5 ratings

Tags: Jenny Jules, Lorraine Hansberry, Lyndon Rhoden, Manchester, Michael Buffong, Raisin in the Sun, Ray Fearon, Royal Exchange, Starletta DuPois, Tracey Ifeachor