Theatre Review: Raisin in the sun

Sitting in the stalls with curtains open and the set in view, sparked my curiosity. I’m not one for reading a lot about the plays I see before seeing them because I like to have an open mind. If you’re like me, as a reader, you create images in your head using the information you have read, which could influence you before you see the play.

I decided to use that approach during this visit and am glad.

The opening scene started with Travis (Oliver Dunkley) on stage, initially by himself. Then, other characters joined him, but they were just visible through the screen on the sides. The room that he was in was sparse, with simple furniture from the 1950s. There weren’t many personal touches. There were no photographs but a plant in the kitchen, a record player, a table, and a bed settee.

Because of the lack of personal items, you could assume that they weren’t planning to stay very long or didn’t have much money. In fact, it was quite the opposite; the family had lived in the apartment for some time. It was typical for many generations and families to share a large house with other families because of the economic, social, poor pay, and cultural challenges at the time. They would support each other until they could purchase a house for themselves.

In the house lived a family of four generations with their own dreams—dreams that could possibly take them away from their economic and housing situation. The only problem was their individual dreams, which became apparent during the play and caused conflict between them. 

It was set in a time when people could be openly racist, and we see examples of this and how it affects the family, mainly the adults. Beneatha (Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman) wants to remove herself from the economic situation by becoming a doctor. Walter (Solomon Israel) wanted to set up his own business. They have their own ideas, which leads Walter to make a poor decision which affects the whole family. His character is the one that changes the most. In the play, he starts as a respectable worker (a chauffeur) but then descends into a drunk because things did not go how he wanted them to at that time. He changes again into a loving father and husband when he is given the opportunity to prove himself. But as his situation changes again, his emotional state changes once more. 

Throughout the play, my heartstrings were pushed and pulled in many directions. I even placed my hand over my mouth in shock, hearing Walter’s lack of care upon hearing that his wife Ruth (Cash Holland) had paid a $5 deposit to ‘the lady.’ I was shocked at his response. Her pain could be felt around the theatre. 

The cast took me along their emotional roller-coaster as they pushed and pulled against each other. There were impressive monologues and humour throughout. The play depicted what life was like for a black family back in the late 50s, which was reminiscent of mine, although some years later.

The play begins as a matriarchal household with Lena (Doreene Blackstock) changing in a way I did not suspect. The ending surprised me, too, as Walter did not behave as I thought he would. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the play and would definitely watch it again. I highly recommend that you see it for yourself.

Raisin in the Sun plays at the Nottingham Playhouse from 8th November until 16th November 2024.