Blackbox – Underbelly Cowgate

This is the true story of Henry “Box” Brown, the enslaved African-American who, in 1849, mailed himself to freedom in the North in a wooden box measuring just 3 feet by 2.5, in which he had to remain quietly, and not always right side up, for 27 hours.

This adaptation by Rickerby Hinds (who also directs) draws on Brown’s own autobiographical writings, published as Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown Written by Himself, to tell his story. As such, it is mostly monologue form (performed by Josiah Alpher as Brown, with Jada Evelyn Ramsey as Spirit and chorus) combined with partially live gospel soundscapes and, reflecting Brown’s later career, stage magic.

Though the play starts and ends with the box which is so central to this show (not to mention the man’s name), it is really more about his life up to that point. The show is a vivid illustration of the day-to-day reality of slavery, from the total lack of bodily autonomy to the obvious hypocrisy of the many “devout” Christian slave-owners. Brown’s story is made all the more horrifying by how, as Brown is keen to repeat, many others had it far worse than he did.

Alpher brings likability and passion to the role of Henry Brown, anchoring the humanity and showmanship of the man and the awfulness of the position he is (sometimes literally) put in. Together with Ramsey, they are not just the cast but also setting, tone, music and (again sometimes literally) magic of the show, precise in their movements, eloquent in both speech and expression, and completely at ease with every aspect of this interdisciplinary show.

An easy five stars.

Running August 5th – 30th (no show 17th) https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/blackbox

Reviewer: Oliver Giggins

Reviewed: 12th August 2026

North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: