Dilated Theatre Company in association with Park Theatre presents: SUS, Barrie Keeffe’s incendiary play about institutional racism and abuse of power gets a timely revival. Directed by Paul Tomlinson the play runs from 21 September – 15 October Park Theatre, Park90.
Set on the eve of Thatcher’s landslide victory in 1979, Barrie Keeffe’s play about a young Black man (played by Stedroy Cabey ) detained and brutalised by the police for a crime he has no knowledge of is a powerful dramatisation of a true story.
Originally staged in 1979, it shows audiences a shocking depiction of institutional racism through the eyes of Delroy, who has been brought to a East London police station on what he thinks is Sus – suspect under suspicion – the law now commonly known as Stop and Search. Unbeknownst to him, two white male police detectives are tasked with drawing a confession for an unspeakable crime, and they go about it in the most brutal of ways.
The Artiscape spoke to Stedroy Cabey about his role in SUS.
What attracted you to the role?
I have always been attracted to telling stories that are meaningful and heartfelt. SUS pulled at my heartstrings from the initial reading. I had such an emotionally charged experience like I never had before reading a piece of work. I knew I wanted to have the opportunity and challenge of telling Delroy’s truth and it is an honour.
What about this play appeals to you?
SUS is such a powerful and moving play. It speaks to the past and also the present which is somewhat sad. The themes are unfortunately quite relevant and it needs to be told. Theatre should place a mirror in front of an audience and society in general, allowing them to see bits of themselves and the world that they (we) sometimes might ignore. Barrie Keeffe did that with this play, making it quite appealing as an actor.
Can you tell us about the character you play?
Delroy is a young black man, who is a husband and father trying to make a life for his family. Unfortunately, the society he lives in is quite oppressive and makes it hard for him to progress. He is constantly harassed by the police and then the unforgivable transpires. His whole life ‘crashes down to his ears’ (as he says), in one night. Life as he knew it changed forever.
What do you feel an audience will take from this production?
Empty tear ducts!… I hope…
This play is so moving that each person will take away something different. It’s a hard but necessary watch and my hope is that each person will walk out wondering how they may be able to prevent there from being another Delroy in the future.
Park Theatre presents
SUS
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