Talking People at Bush Theatre
We have always lived in an era of contradictions, but the cultural sphere has never been quite so paradoxical and, indeed, parasocial. This era is one in which the commoner and the celebrity are more connected than ever due to the veneer of relatability afforded by social media. But this digital intimacy is simultaneously deepening our divisions, as unattainable lifestyles are thrust incessantly in the faces of ordinary people. Such a divide has translated to the stage, with increasing criticism directed towards an over-reliance on celebrity casting in theatre productions. This has inevitably led to working class actors being snubbed in favour of the wealthy and powerful. To counter this, Talking People aims to bring back something that’s missing from modern theatre: authentic human interaction. Directed by Richard Vincent and produced by Elina Saleh, it’s an experience like no other. In the cosy setting of Bush Theatre, each night five talented actors are given prompts by both Vincent and the audience to improvise a story.
Improvisational theatre has rich socio-political roots, having been used by theatre arts innovator Viola Spolin as a means of addressing class inequalities in the 40s. In Talking People, the barrier between the stage and the spectators is dissolved (indeed, there is no stage). The audience plays a vital role in character and narrative construction, as Vincent asks us to assign roles to the actors and, later, probe them with questions that facilitate characterisation.
The actors compose a story based around a man who has recently died from Alzheimer’s complications. On night one, Keturah Chambers, Clea Martin and Tegen Short take on the roles of three warring daughters, while Stevie Raine plays the deceased’s brother and Holli Dempsey is Short’s partner. As the story takes off following the narrative building, the actors seamlessly transition to traditional dramatics, albeit still entirely improvised. Among a richly skilled cast, Chambers stands out as the stoic sister who ends up manoeuvring some delicate subject matter when the inevitable conclusion of her character’s judgemental arc – and reticence to admit her political beliefs – results in her creating a bigot.
On night two, the performers navigate themes of race and sexuality, presenting a very different picture of grief than the previous night’s show. Landry Adelard, Mohammed Mansaray and Ayoola Smart play the siblings, while Aliyah Odoffin and Jason York portray the latter two actors’ respective partners. Mansaray, in particular, is adept at effortlessly weaving humour into the narrative, leaving the audience darkly erupting into guffaws and gasps. Meanwhile, Adelard gives a visceral powerhouse performance as a man haunted by his father’s past, a display made all the impactful due to the spontaneity of his improvisation.
The ability – not to mention adaptability – of the actors to conjure origin stories and plot points on the spot is spectacular. Vincent, Saleh and the accomplished cast make this a truly unique theatre experience, one that’s a joy to witness and to participate in. Talking People is triumphant – and essential viewing for any theatre fan.
Antonia Georgiou
Photos: Courtesy of Bush Theatre
Talking People is at Bush Theatre until 27th June 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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