SAMSKARA: A Must See at The Yard Theatre
Image: Johan Perrson
For a four week season, SAMSKARA is showing at The Yard Theatre, in Hackney. Written, directed and choreographed by polymath Lanre Malaolu, the powerful piece of physical theatre interweaves purposeful text with the momentum of movement, to poetically uncover Black masculinity and facets of the Black British experience.
Drawing influence from South Asian philosophy, its title SAMSKARA refers to rites of passage - a process of ‘preparing, purifying, and perfecting’, from one’s past state to one’s future state. Digging deeper, in Hindu philosophy, samskaras are also imprints of character inherited from birth that influence one's nature, state of mind and karma. In light of this piece, inspired by real-life testimonies, SAMSKARA unravels the experience of four generations of Black men, and in exposing these stories in community, the piece becomes a visceral process of freedom from tradition and generational trauma.
Image: Johan Perrson
One of the most striking moments of the piece is the casts’ intense focus and deep connection. Their movements resonate in such an intimate space, in particular, the commanding physicality of the muted protagonist, played by Paaliba Abugre, grounds and anchors the piece. The collective inhales and exhales become a sharp motif throughout - a reminder of the emotional, mental and physical space needed to slow down and centre collective care. In a time of rapid change as we build back better past Covid-19, interweaving monologues and breathing in unison highlights how the simple act of breathing has become political - which recalls the traumatic murder of George Floyd that provoked global protests in 2020. Aptly referencing Shakespeare’s Hamlet: ‘To die, to sleep— / To sleep—perchance to dream [...] For in that sleep of death what dreams may come…’, we’re left to think about the nightmares that these men have carried throughout time and are nudged out of a collective dream state to, ‘Wake up and see, wake up’.
The space is lined with soil in a semicircle that both joins and separates the audience and cast. At significant moments of reflection, Abugre picks up the soil with his bare hands and rubs it on his chest; he slowly turns his face towards the light as pulsating African drums, played by Demba Sow, which underscores this symbolic act of grounding. Themes of absent dads, and authoritarian father figures weigh heavy, as the pressure to be Black, British and male is presented as lonely and isolating, with their centre of gravity shifting depending on the rooms that they enter. This code shifting is captured in the characters’ playful exploration of gait, as we are invited to project stories of the many Black boys and men that we have encountered, and together dismantle the stereotypes typically attached to them.
Image: Johan Perrson
Joy makes a breakthrough throughout the piece in the form of dance, music and laughter. Hip Hop, Reggae and the African drums are syncopated with laughter and movement, as the audience joins in to sing Sisqo’s 90’s ‘Thong’. We can’t help but feel elated to witness Black joy, as we watch hope and strength emerge from the depths of vulnerability. A powerful, visceral exploration of Black masculinity left us all on our feet. It’s a must see.
SAMSKARA is on at The Yard Theatre until the 23rd July. Get your tickets here.
