ABOUT THE SHOW
From BAFTA Nominated writer Gabriel Bisset-Smith comes a hilarious, devastating and timely world premiere; a love letter to London exploring race, family and where the hell all the good night clubs have gone.
It’s hard parenting a child that everyone thinks you’ve kidnapped. Spanning 30 years, from Jamaica to London, Whitewash is the story of Mary and Lysander, a mixed-race woman and her very white son.
When Lysander tries to redevelop the housing estate Mary brought him up on he believes he’s helping, but is he really just trying to erase his past?
Inspired by Gabriel’s own experience, this hilarious and devastating new play is an exploration of the intersection between race and class, identity and belonging. Who are you when you don’t look like your own family and no longer recognise the changing city around you?
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gabriel Bisset-Smith
Director: Charlotte Bennett
Cast: Gabriel Bisset-Smith and
Rebeckah Murrell
Designer: Jemima Robinson
Lighting Designer: Jai Mojoria
Sound Designer: Asaf Zohar
Video Designer: Daniel Denton
Production Manager: Seb Cannings
Stage Manager: Rachael Head
Producers:
Francesca Moody Productions and Soho Theatre
PRESS
“A blistering and entertaining examination of the privilege of disengagement” Exeunt
“Charlotte Bennett’s direction is filled with pure joy and intuition, encouraging Murrell and Bisset-Smith to take full ownership of the stage” ★★★★ A Younger Theatre
“Bisset-Smith’s play is a joy…fusing smart social commentary with consistently strong humour” ★★★★ The Stage
“Draws a sharply observed picture of urban gentrification and contains sparkling social satire” The Guardian
“Whitewash is a very fun play. The pacing of the play matches London’s relentless urban spirit and discordancy…” ★★★★ Theatre Full Stop
“It’s rare that a play teems with so many ideas while still managing to remain coherent, but Whitewash is that rare play.” ★★★★ Theatre Reviews Hub
“A moving, political exploration of what it means to belong” ★★★★ Timeout
“A playful, painful and very funny two-hander…” Stagedoor
“Go and see it to experience Bisset-Smith’s exuberant talent over 70minutes…” ★★★★ Theartsdesk
“It’s niftily performed by Rebekah Murrell and Bisset-Smith…well worth an hour of your time” Metro
“This vibrant modern play buoyed by two engaging central performances suggests that its promising actor/playwright Bisset-Smith (already BAFTA nominated) is one to watch.” Apolarisview
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
NOMINATED Offie for Female Performance in a Play
PERFORMANCE INFO
Soho Theatre
3 – 27 July 2019
