By Graham Hiley.
Chichester Festival Theatre have long had a reputation for giving opportunity to bright young talent either as actors or writers. Or in this case both.
Safe Space at the Minerva Theatre is the brilliant brainchild of Jamie Bogyo who both wrote and stars in this powerful and perceptive look at campus politics at an Ivy League university during the Obama administration.
As a group of students campaign to change the name of their college away from that of infamous slave trader John Calhoun, tensions soon boil over as they rival each other in both love and politics.
Based on real-life events at Yale in 2016-17, this is Bogyo’s first play and it is a hugely promising debut not just with a strong storyline but also with razor-sharp dialogue.
It is funny, thought-provoking and raunchy – all three at once when Connor (Bogyo) dives under the duvet with the sexy but feisty Annabelle passionately portrayed by the brilliant Céline Buckens.
There are equally strong performances from the three other members of the cast. Ernest Kingsley Jr captures the torment of Isaiah while Ivan Oyik revels in his role as Omar and Bola Akeju emerges strongly as Stacy.
The genius of Bogyo’s multi-faceted creations is that the audience care deeply about them even when, on occasions, they are unlikeable as they wrestle with their coming-of-age emotions and sometimes tweak their political views to match those of the others.
It raises important questions about glorifying barbaric historical acts and true commitment to fight for modern-day redemption while still allowing scope for Connor’s cancel culture as he tries to tread carefully to avoid saying something politically incorrect.
Bogyo plays with his white privilege, and gives a passionate performance full of angst and frustration showing just how personal this project is to him.
It examines issues which are as troubling in society now as they were eight years ago, maybe more so. With divisions running deeper than ever, it examines historical racism in a modern setting.
It could be heavy-going but for the smart script laced with laughter to lift the mood under the careful direction of Roy Alexander Weise also making his Chichester bow.
The remarkably swift scenery changes and the a cappella sub-plot and singing also enhance the pace of the piece though the ending possibly feels a little limp.
However, this hugely enjoyable play remains a powerful and important piece of art to launch what could be a very promising career for Jamie Bogyo, a name to watch.
Safe Space runs until November 8 at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester: cft.org.uk/news/safe-space-is-now-on-in-the-minerva
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