REVIEW | School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Lyric Hammersmith
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Charlene
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Written by Jocelyn Bioh, School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls play is having its UK premiere at Lyric Hammersmith - its success already coming from an award-winning production in the USA. Directed by Monique Touko who won The Stage Debut Award for Best Director for Malindadzimu in 2022. It was a hot evening in London and the beauty and creativity of the set design (Paul Wills) the atmosphere felt even hotter to recreate the Ghania temperatures. A special mention to both the costume Designer (Kinnetia Isidore) and the wigs, hair and makeup designer (Cynthia De La Rosa) who encapsulated the authenticity of both the era and culture. The sound designer (Tony Gayle) was able to embody a rhythm and flow that complemented the action on the stage.
The play is set in 1986 at Ghana's prestigious Aburi Girls boarding school and focuses on a group of friends who are more excited about the upcoming visit from the Miss Ghana pageant recruiter than doing their studies. Within the group there’s a distinct hierarchy and this play explores the dynamics of this, and the complexities involved when this is threatened by a newcomer. The girls are Paulina who by her own admission is a popular girl and not that kind to her friends and the audience go on a journey with her character as she is forced to self-reflect. Paulina (Tara Tijani) is determined to be picked for Miss Ghana but at what cost and how is she going to manage the competition when Ericka joins the school. Ericka (Anna Shaffer) unlike the other girls doesn’t take long to stand her ground to Paulina and soon the other girls shift their loyalty to the friendship group. Ericka is a transfer student from the USA and on the surface has it all. Paulina’s best friend is Ama (Heather Agyepong) sensible, and focused on her studies and the cracks are starting to show between them. The double duo cousins Gifty (Francesca Amewudah-Rivers) and Mercy ( Bola Akeju) are joined by the hip and bounce off each other whilst also being each other's cheerleaders. They are both happy to be in the popular group and until Ericka joined it looked set to stay that way. Last but no means least is Nana (Jadesola Odunjo) who was my favourite from the start is a sweet sensitive girl who wants to be liked but also struggles to cut habits that perplex and frustrate Paulina. She was so endearing to watch and touched my maternal instinct. Headmistress Francis (Alison A Addo) tries her best to control the girls, but this proves difficult when her old school friend Eloise (Deborah Alli) turns up early to pick a girl for the pageant. Elosie is keen to remind people she was Miss Ghana in 1966 and will do anything to succeed in her own career. It was clear the past wasn’t kind between these two and this was a parallel to the rivalry between Paulina and Ericka.
The beauty of this play is that each actor excelled at bringing their own energy and making their character unique and individual. It is an incredibly layered piece that doesn’t shy away from diving into the complexities of a young woman. Then there are the added difficulties and pressures black women have in regard to fitting in yet standing out in ways that society deems acceptable. They each go on a journey of growth and self-discovery, and it was great to watch them find their individual voices. The cousins Mercy and Gifty brought light relief in their comedic witty nature and had the audience howling in parts. They brought an addictive energy that captured your attention.
My only critique is that it ended too soon, and in no reflection on it not wrapping it up in sufficient time but because I wanted more!! Be prepared to be in awe of the sheer talent in these roles. Hilarious, upbeat, moving and dealing with issues still; relevant over 30 years on in the way females cope with pressures. How we hide who we really are from the world and often want what we can't have. The writing and casting are spot-on and truly transport you into a fantastic time at the theatre. This is going to be an absolute sell-out this summer In London so be sure to book your tickets. You’ll leave the theatre feeling empowered by this production.
