Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera – Brixton House

To pull off a solo show, a performer needs to possess a deeply commanding presence, superhuman confidence, and a sense of great comfort within the space that puts the audience immediately at ease. To pull off a solo show that is almost entirely rapped? That requires something truly special — and that’s exactly what Gerel Falconer, writer and performer of Tones – A Hip-Hop Opera has in abundance.

In this show, Falconer plays the role of Jerome (AKA The Professor), a young Black British man navigating our society where race, class, and culture still play a huge role in our sense of belonging. Feeling not Black enough for the area he grew up in yet too Black for the rest of the world, Jerome is forced to confront the impact that assimilation has had on his identity.

With his sole companions on stage being a paintbrush, ladder, a couple of paint pots and a small bench, Jerome takes us through his life story so far, beginning with his prodigious childhood and culminating with his challenging university experience. He weaves his tale through rap, spanning several different songs which seamlessly blend together to create a beautifully cohesive piece.

Falconer’s lyrics are sublime, and he delivers every word with soul and a clarity that enraptures the audience from the get-go. He’s proficient in the art of storytelling, and with the support of Jonny Kelly’s careful direction he uses his voice, face, and body as fine-tuned instruments. Kelly’s direction makes sublime use of the intimate Brixton House space, cleverly using the few props on stage to take us on a moving and highly entertaining journey.

Heightening the impact of Falconer’s lyrics is 3D Williams’s richly textured composition, with the tracks engaging the rapt audience without ever detracting from the words. An ingenious sample of Dizzee Rascal’s seminal ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp’ is a particular crowd-pleaser.

As well as speaking from his own perspective, Jerome takes on the personas of other important people who’ve shaped his life, from his wise Uncle to posh white friend Henry. Falconer deftly switches between these characters, meticulously shifting his vocal stylings, posture, and gait to add deeper levels to this tale about what it means to be Black in Britain.

Over the course of a sharply constructed hour, Tones – A Hip-Hop Opera proves Gerel Falconer to be a triumphant storyteller with a hypnotic power to capture his audience’s attention in its totality. Prepare to be astounded.

Reviewer: Olivia Cox

Reviewed: 5th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: