Review of Category B at the Tricycle Theatre

by Nicole Vanacore

Category B is the first of three plays to open the Not Black and White season at the Tricycle Theatre.

Three black playwrights have commissioned three plays exploring the general theme of society in today's London/Britain.

Written by Roy Williams and directed by Paulette Randall, Category B is certainly a sign of good things to come over the next few months. 

The play is set in a Cat B prison, where: “No one wants to go to ... prisoners and screws alike," as prison officer Angela (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) explains.

Angela runs her wing according to her own set of rules, including knowing when to turn a blind eye to certain situations. Duncan-Brewster’s acting brings a light hearted touch to the on-going issue that is the state of the British prison system.

Williams brings to life the relationships that can develop in such a solitary place and the effects it has on families on the outside. But, despite having many racial comments within the script, the play is more about power. than race.

Karl Collins as Errol

Errol (Karl Collins) is an inmate who’s up for parole in six weeks, anxious to get out, yet knows his power lies only inside the walls. Collins really does the character justice and his displays of frustration and anger had the audience hooked on his every reaction.

His relationship with a young new con he had connections with on the outside many years ago, is heartbreaking to watch, and Collins brings love to Errol’s hard faced character.

Williams illustrates a clear hierarchy within the jail, and the issue of Britain’s over crowded prisons is pointed out in the performance.  

A plain stage, set up as a minimal prison wing, allows the characters to be the main attraction.

Much of the play relies on dim lighting, adding to the dark atmosphere, and you get a sense that you're actually in their world. 

Standing ovation

The audiences' reaction paid respect to the outstanding performance, the standing ovation was well deserved.

Williams has pushed the boundaries of exposing what the system is really like and the ensemble cast members make this performance hard-hitting, funny and enlightening.