Rachel, The Finborough Theatre

This play depicts the chaos between the American Civil War and the supposed end to slavery. It's writer Angelina Weld Grimké was a prolific poet and playwright, but despite this, Rachel was her only published work by the time she died in 1958. 

The Story...

Written with Arthur Miller-like attention to detail in the stage directions, the play opens with Rachel and her mother. Rachel is a vivacious, joyful and very well-read child. Within the walls of her house, she is as safe and happy but in the world beyond the fires of the civil war still burn. Characters are subjected to verbal and physical abuse and the gentleness of the family (whose very name Loving expresses their nature) is no match for the violence towards them. And though her family give Rachel everything in the hopes she will be the one to thrive and succeed, her mother admits, “Rachel, I cannot save you.” “Ma, you frighten me. Save me from what?” “Just life.”

The Background...

As the first play penned by an African American woman to be staged, Rachel was historic. Although it there was much criticism and opposition at the time,  Grimke described prejudice as a poison in the air . The play's “purpose", she stated, "was to show how a refined, sensitive, highly-strung girl, a dreamer and an idealist, the strongest instinct in whose nature is a love for children and a desire some day to be a mother herself— how this girl would react to this force.”

Ola Ince returns to direct. Her last project at the Finborough, The Soft of her Palm also explored the role of children dealing with complex adult conflicts. She has worked her magic at several fringe theatres including The Bush, Tristan Bates and the Arcola in recent years. Interestingly she cites not other directors as inspiration but dancers such as Pina Bausch, film maker Lars von Trier and jazz musician Thelonius Monk. 

No matter when or where this play is staged, it has a huge resonance. Not only does Rachel have an intelligent female lead but it is comprised of an all-black cast. This is a wonderful rediscovery on the part of the Finborough, where it receives its first production after nearly 100 years.