“His Teeth”, a new play by Ben Musgrave, performed by Only Connect, the arts company for prisoners, ex-offenders and young people at risk of crime, is a direct and harrowing introduction to the challenges faced by illegal immigrants trying to negotiate the dark edges of life in Britain. It emerged from workshops based on the life and stories of OC member Ralph Ojutu, and tells the story of Eric, an ambitious Nigerian arriving in London.
The staging, direction and performances combine to create a moving story which engages both brain and heart. The actors are well cast and professional; in fact in some cases it is impossible to tell which are professional actors and which OC members. Their energy and physicality is outstanding. The knowledge that some have a very real understanding of the material and lives on which the play is based adds to the play’s impact. Junior ‘Milla’ Miller, as corrupt, menacing Derek, brought a real sense of danger to the stage.
The play is set in the round; the action taking place within a screened box which provides distance between audience and action. This works well in the small auditoria, enabling the audience to observe without feeling encroached upon. The use of projection onto the screened walls, allowing all sides of the audience to see the actors close-up in monologues, gives a televisual effect, which is in keeping with the contemporary nature of the subject matter.
The workshop roots of the piece are evident. Despite regular projections of the date onto the stage, it is difficult to grasp a sense of the time lapses between scenes. As a result, events occur at a such a pace that the trajectory feels slightly unreal. Given the enormity of the issues addressed, I didn’t feel that it needed the very slight subplot of the police officer, and his attraction to Sarah.
In many ways His Teeth would make a great television drama – the time lapses, the use of detective story and CCTV, the multitude of stories and voices. It is certainly a story that needs to be heard and understood by a wider audience. I left with my eyes opened to situations, probably happening right now, nearby, to which I am usually blind.
by Emily Standring, MVMF Events Committee
