Reviews

The Truth About Black Suburban Girls

When Liora Harvin bursts on to the stage in a bright pink cheerleader outfit, her Cheshire cat grin wide and proud, and a cheesy 80s soundtrack blaring from the speakers, I was immediately struck by her infectious energy and athletic ability. Harvin’s solo show, which she also wrote, aims to tell a coming of age story of a black girl growing up in 1980s American suburbia, weaving through an expressive gallery of characters who played major roles in her adolescence. However, it is clear from the outset that vitality alone cannot save this piece.

Regrettably, the 50-minute show starts poorly and slides even further down hill. It’s not only that the writing is fractured and cliched, or that Harvin struggles with her lines to a painfully embarrassing degree, but more that it’s completely uninspiring. The big screen showing photos, slides and videos that Harvin often refers to feels unnecessary, and the less said about the music, the better.

The show also seems to boast the most inept technical crew ever to grace a lighting board. There were times where Harvin herself had to signal to them when cues went horribly awry, and even one cringe-worthy moment when she was forced to tell them their mistake in front of the audience, shooting looks that could kill, whilst trying not to lose that winning smile and fading spirit. The sad truth is that Harvin really told us nothing new, and I found I didn’t care enough.

I feel sorry for Harvin. You can tell, lurking behind this unfortunate dud of a piece, that there is some real heart, but it is clear it lacks substance, humour, and theatrical meat. There was even a telling moment when the actress herself appeared to glaze over during one of her many halted speeches. How does Harvin expect the audience to believe in her show, when I’m not even sure that she does herself?

– Adam Elms