THE UK CORNER: 'The Frontline' reviewed by Fiona McKinson

     *The Frontline is an area in Brixton, South London made famous during the 1981 riots. Though it has been somewhat gentrified, it is still connected with trouble.

     Yet, this was not the area of London, which inspired actor/director turned playwright Ché Walker. His frontline was Camden Town where he continues to live. However, his North West London muse does share traits with her South London counterpart.

     The play, which was revived from 2008, occurs near a recreated Camden Town tube station. Cultures collide in a world of fantasies. From the start, Walker challenges himself with a cast of 22 characters.

     All onstage at once, chaos ensues as Beth and her Christian cohort praise and preach against the vices of homosexuality, drug trafficking and other skulduggery represented by Beth's ex, junkie Roderique.

     It is not long before the entire cast is in chorus (some great voices) as if a scene from Rent. This play too tackles sexual politics and the world of prostitution. As the characters indulge in parallel conversations across the stage it was at times, hard to keep up. But, it is worth the effort. The play is an assault on all senses and this is magnified within the magnificent surroundings of Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside - a true gem of London.

     Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe is dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote. Formed of Green' oak cut and fashioned according to 16th-century practice and assembled in two-dimensional bays. The roof is made of water reed thatch.

     In the open air the stars shone above and below skyline. The characters are memorable from Violet, stripper and chief promoter of Fantasy Bar (Jo Martin) with her attempts to seduce the bookworm/bouncer Marcus and stop her daughter Baby Doll from becoming a lap dancer at Fantasy Bar to the respectable old man Ragdale, who thinks that every young woman is his missing daughter.

     Somalian Salim, his drug-dealing rival Miruts, an Ethiopian teenager who is destined to feel Cockburn's wrath despite the efforts of his lover Donna, and amateur gangster 16-year-old Elliot, represent the perils of youth.

     Miruts and Donna represent only one of the love stories. There's also Seamus and the demanding Benny, a young singer in a group (and tryst) with dance partner Jimmy. Benny and his gold hot pants are the basis for much of the laughter especially when he launches into his version of Beyonce's Single Ladies. That is just one of many musical interludes, indeed there are live drums and jazz performances underscoring the action. The play makes the most of its surroundings with characters walking through the crowd as flame-bearers.

     The humour is possibly best represented by Mordechai Thurrrock (Trystan Gravelle), a deluded and vain actor whose office is the red phone box where he must persuade talent agent Cressida Whitlock-Meadows to see his one man show 'Sickert' while battling the resident homeless squatter and heroin addict Carlton.
 
     The play is richly woven with a tapestry of themes covering issues pertinent to the Victorian times and 21st century London. It seems the issues of barbarism and colonialism are timeless. Characters such as the Afghani coffee shop owner Mahmoud and in particular, the Scottish hot dog vendor and street philosopher Erkenwald, narrate and set the moral tone for the play. Quotes from the King James Bible and the Koran float around.

     The play is intelligent with references to Shakespeare seamlessly interwoven. It is educational and well researched to deliver recognisable cultural voices and three -dimensional characters. Catch it while you can!

Showing until 23 May £5-£33
Visit: http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/annualtheatreseason/thefrontline/ or
http://www.thefrontlineonline.co.uk/

The UK Corner covers urban entertainment from a British perspective and is compiled by Fiona McKinson. She is a freelance journalist and creative writer based in London. Contact her at info@thetalentshow.co.uk. .