Through the Mud @ Summerhall
A powerful journey into the continuing struggle for Black liberation in America, Through the Mud delivers the narrative of two generations of women activists, their trials brought to life through haunting blues and gospel tones
Through the Mud, written by Apphia Campbell and performed by both her and Tinashe Warikandwa, is a powerful adaptation of Campbell’s earlier work, Woke. Highlighting the parallels between Black Lives Matter and the Black Panther movement, the show elucidates how the systemic violence of institutions towards Black people is still rife, through the eyes of two different women.
The show follows the radicalisation of Assata Shakur and modern-day student Ambrosia. Shakur’s tale is a real-life story of the miscarriages of justice; Ambrosia’s tale is a symbolic representation of what many young people experienced during the rise of Black Lives Matter. This adaptation boasts a newfound duality, with the two actresses deftly moving between past and present. They interact with each other across the divide of time, through beautifully harmonised blues songs that emphasise their connection though a shared purpose and indignation. The lighting is especially effective, never distracting but always illuminating and highlighting the emotions of the piece.
This exploration of Black women's activism is a pleasure to watch; not simply for the wonderful musical pieces, nor the slick transitions and elegant lighting, but also for the clever writing and characterisation. There is something organic about the two characters being presented in both their strength and vulnerability, humanising the media tropes of a suffering woman or engaged activist and transmuting them into characters you can connect with.
This nod to the female radical is also seen in how Campbell and Warikandwa occasionally enact male characters through slightly comedic cross-acting scenes. It adjusts the gender disparity, relegating the male characters to romantic plot movers. This serves to lighten the often-heavy mood, helping the audience move gracefully through a difficult topic. Through the Mud is a profound and unique exploration of what it means to be a revolutionary.
Through the Mud, Summerhall (Main Hall), until 25 Aug, 5.55pm, £10-17