‘The realm of memory’: Naomi Obeng reviews mandla rae’s poetic performance film about their memories of seeking asylum.
Naomi Obeng
Articles by Naomi Obeng
12 June 2021
Reviews • Glasgow • National
Review: BUZZCUT Festival (online)
3-5 June
By Naomi Obeng
Digital ritual: Naomi Obeng writes on a cornucopia of offerings from Glasgow’s DIY live art festival.
18 March 2021
Reviews • National
Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray (online)
16-31 March
By Naomi Obeng
Black mirror, black mirror on the wall…: Naomi Obeng reviews a star-laden adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel, transposed to the perilous world of social media.
3 March 2021
Reviews • OWE & Fringe
Review: Rice! at Omnibus Theatre (online)
20-28 February
By Naomi Obeng
Cooking without a recipe: Naomi Obeng writes on a Malaysian and UK co-production about living across two cultures.
30 November 2020
Reviews • OWE & Fringe
Review: The Kids Are Alright at Evelyn Estate, Deptford (online)
27 November - 2 December
By Naomi Obeng
‘Dream logic’: Naomi Obeng writes on Encounter’s strange, sad study on grief, reimagined as a filmed site-specific performance.
27 April 2020
Reviews • Imaginary Reviews
Imaginary Review: Try Again, Again
By Naomi Obeng
“A play about failing. Sign. Me. Up.” – Naomi Obeng imagines a tentative, hopeful performance in a brand new Loughborough venue.
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.