“A play about failing. Sign. Me. Up.” – Naomi Obeng imagines a tentative, hopeful performance in a brand new Loughborough venue.
Naomi Obeng
Articles by Naomi Obeng
8 March 2020
Reviews • Leicester • National
Review: Common Salt at Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester
6 March, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
‘Lost words’: Naomi Obeng writes on Sheila Ghelani and Sue Palmer’s ‘show and tell’ excavation of colonial trade history.
16 February 2020
Reviews • Leicester • National
Review: It’s Hot, It’s Not at Curve, Leicester
12 February, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
Splash splosh: Naomi Obeng reviews Reckless Sleepers’ inviting, restless, weather-themed children’s show.
9 February 2020
Reviews • OWE & Fringe
Review: People Show 137: God Knows How Many at Southwark Playhouse
By Naomi Obeng
‘I felt like a wild-eyed child, riveted by strange life happening’: Naomi Obeng writes on People Show’s surrealist collection of ideas and images in their 137th show.
27 January 2020
Reviews • West End & Central
Review: Fairview at Young Vic
By Naomi Obeng
As Fairview’s UK run ends, Naomi Obeng charts her conflicting reactions to Jackie Sibblies Drury’s play. [contains spoilers]
24 January 2020
Reviews
Review: The Gift at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
18-25 January, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
‘Yeah, humans be like that’: Naomi Obeng on the complexities of Janice Okoh’s time-hopping play about Empire and its legacy.
27 September 2019
Reviews • Birmingham • National
Review: Rebel Music at Birmingham REP
19 September - 5 October
By Naomi Obeng
‘Why and when did the other side stop Rocking Against?’: Naomi Obeng on music and activism in Middle Child’s new show about the Rock Against Racism movement.
16 June 2019
Reviews • National • Nottingham
Review: One Night in Miami at Nottingham Playhouse
7-22 June, then touring
By Naomi Obeng
‘What about the Struggle’: Naomi Obeng writes a poetic response to Kemp Powers’ imagined account of the meeting of Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke.
30 March 2019
Reviews • National • Nottingham
Review: Skellig at Nottingham Playhouse
22 March - 7 April
By Naomi Obeng
Emotionally invested: Naomi Obeng writes on a stage adaptation of a childhood favourite which ‘plainly plays with magic’.
26 February 2019
Reviews • Leicester • National
Review: Luca Rutherford’s Political Party at Curve Theatre, Leicester
21 February
By Naomi Obeng
Working it out: Naomi Obeng reviews Luca Rutherford’s solo show in two parts – a written response, and an audio recording made immediately after the performance.
1 June 2018
Features • Festivals
Watch Out Festival 2018
By Naomi Obeng
Naomi Obeng encounters transformation, an intergalactic mission, bingo, and tons of exciting new performance at Cambridge Junction’s one day fest.
21 April 2018
Reviews • London Theatre • OWE & Fringe • Reviews
Review: Faceless at the Park Theatre
April 17 - May 12
By Naomi Obeng
Dancing around the periphery: there’s a compelling story lurking somewhere in Selina Fillinger’s debut play.
12 April 2018
Features • Essays • Festivals
NSDF: Making Change
By Naomi Obeng
Naomi Obeng reports back from National Student Drama Festival’s collective conversations on how to make spaces fairer, more accessible, and more representative.
29 January 2018
Reviews • London Theatre • OWE & Fringe • Reviews
Review: Oranges & Elephants at Hoxton Hall
January 23 - February 10
By Naomi Obeng
Queens of Crime: this music hall melodrama eschews subtlety and sensitivity.
19 October 2017
Reviews • West End & Central
Review: A Woman of No Importance at the Vaudeville Theatre
until 30th December 2017
By Naomi Obeng
“You can almost hear Wilde laughing at our desire for moral certainty”: Naomi Obeng reviews the opening production of a year long season of Oscar Wilde.