‘Heart’ is a Coming-of-age love note to the ones who are still holding on to hate and to the ones who have still not been able to take that leap of faith. It has a beating pulse of the many trials and tribulations one goes through to be able to accept oneself in all our queer glory. The debut show of Jade Anouka’ platforms her personal experience and gives it all her heart and soul. Her rhyming poetry and performance are accompanied by live music and sound design by musician and four-time UK Beatbox champion Grace Savage. It’s beautiful to see Grace intently watch Jade, knowing that they must have gone over this a million times, accompanying her movement with bass, her emotion with grounded beats. It’s delightful to witness the synergy they share and would love Jade to be more physically moved by this loving gaze.
Jade’s story is elevated by innovative beatboxing and heavy bass, which become interwoven within the play. The play starts with Jade stating that the play is not about race and is powerful I wonder why she chose to state that explicitly. Also, why do black artists have to carry the extra burden of speaking about the unfairness of race, and religion?
The transitions of the beats of the performance appear a bit bumpy as the soloist is reflecting on these experiences from her life from not very long ago, however, it’s nothing a dramaturgist can’t fix. The minimalist production with no sets allowed the piece to travel far and wide, first shown in New York, at The Minetta Lane Theatre in July 2022 to finding critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. One is excited about the evolution of this piece for both artists.
The performance is a recommendation to watch to witness and celebrate, the personal is political. Our choices are valid. We exist with all our myriad complexity and layered mitigations. The heart captures this unveiling of body, mind and soul in love with others and with ourselves. However, one does not find one is queer in isolation, community aids the process greatly and seems missing from the piece. The recreating of strained relations with parents with such accurate descriptions of going back home, and preparations of home-cooked meals are very honest and relatable. With the personal narrative form used with lyrical dexterity and pumping beats this two-woman show will leave you breathless. The story of misfits, of Inadequacy and the pang of Bisexual awakening, running its tantalising finger of desire down one’s spine are captured with beating heart honesty that is moving and inspiring.
Playing until 3rd February, https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/heart/
Reviewer: Anisha Pucadyil
Reviewed: 27th January 2024
North West End UK Rating: