Stop and Search at the Arcola – Review

Directed by Mehmet Ergen, Stop and Search, a play by award-winning Irish-Nigerian writer Gabriel Gbadamosi examines how we police each other through three different narratives that ultimately come together in the end.

Stop and Search epitomizes the anger, the hate and the distrust in Britain today. This play is so relevant, in fact, that the shadow secretary Diane Abbot felt compelled to show the play in the House of Commons.

There is nothing comforting about this play. It is highly charged and unsettling throughout. We first meet an angry paranoid English guy Tel (who appears to have criminal connections). Shaun Mason masters this belligerent pro-Brexit-type character. He reminded me of the guys shouting at remain MPs and left-wing journalists outside the House of Parliament.

He interrogates and insults Akim, an African refugee. He has agreed to allow the migrant a lift as they cross the channel. In return Akim must keep Tel awake by talking to him. In contrast, the timid gentle Akim, who is soaking wet, played by Munashe Chiris, attempts to calm Tel and asks him to slow down the car.

We meet two plain close police officers Tone (played by David Kirkbride) and Lee (Tyler Luke Cunningham) as they work on a surveillance case.

Finally, we meet Bev (Jessye Romeo), a woman directing her taxi driver towards Lambeth Bridge. She is eager to talk to her driver and tell her story. He is initially reluctant to communicate with her but soon picks up on her desperation and engages her.

One criticism I have of the play is, the monologues go on too long at times.

The Arcola Theatre is a perfect space for plays like this. Its minimalistic stage set (Laura Barton), sound effects (Daniel Balfour) and lighting (Richard Williamson) really make this a truly immersive and visceral experience.

I would definitely recommend people see this play.

Stop and Search runs from 9 January–9 February 2019 at the Arcola Theatre.