MY FATHER’S FABLE
Image credit — Manuel Harlan
A striking debut by Faith Omole, My Fathers Fable follows Peace as she reunites with her long-lost half brother, Bolu who visits from Nigeria after their fathers death. Despite her mothers protest, Bolu stays in the London flat she shares with her boyfriend, Roy (Gabriel Akuwudike).
“It is coming. Don’t you see? It is coming. Iyawo mi [my wife]. It cannot be stopped” are the words bellowed as drums beat in anticipation of the show opening, an ominous warning of what is to come.
As the lights are raised we meet Peace, (Tiwa Lade) who flaps around the living room, her anxious energy filling every corner as she prepares for her brother's arrival. She’s misplaced her phone, the jollof she made, according to Roy, tastes more like risotto, and when Roy eventually locates her phone, she has 7 missed calls from her mother, Faith (Rakie Ayola), who then unexpectedly arrives at the front door.
Bolu’s (Theo Ogundipe) arrival momentarily halts the commotion, with the anxious air replaced with awkwardness, and a noticeably frosty reception from Faith for the ‘bastard son’. Peace on the other hand is eager to bond with her brother, moved by his resemblance to their late father. The siblings quickly develop a connection and pair bond as Peace yearns to learn his mother tongue, Yoruba, and Bolu is happy to oblige as the pair make up for lost time.
On account of migraines, but with ulterior motives apparent, Favour stays in the house, much to Roy’s displeasure. With Peace, Roy, Bolu and Favour now under one roof, cracks appear, relationships deteriorate and we see how the arrival of one person can fracture the very foundations of a family.
My Father’s Fable is anchored by its naturalistic dialogue, and while the pace takes a while to take off, we come to form a deep appreciation for Faith’s carefully crafted dialogue and Rebekah Murrell and Taiwo Ava Oyebola’s direction.
Lover’s tiffs between Roy and Peace, post-work conversations over dinner and loud phone calls from home are some of the everyday moments that Gabriel Akuwudike, Tiwa Lade and Rakie Ayola bring to life with nuance and skill. As the pace increases and tensions rise, the actors command the space with the same expertise as in earlier scenes. While Theo Ogundipe also finds a home in these moods, at times his performance is over-done, his intensity cutting through the realism.
Scene transitions in the show are marked by beautiful and original tracks of talking drums, and gentle Yoruba melodies that will be sweetly familiar to some and a tender introduction for others. XANAs sound design is distinctly worthy of celebration, adding an additional and essential layer to the performances creating a palpable atmosphere as tension builds.
My Father’s Fable is an impressive debut, an authentic family drama that navigates the complexities of family, kinship, identity and grief. Faith Omole's naturalistic dialogue and nuanced character development invites the audience into a world that feels both familiar, profound, and indeed humorous — she not only captures the essence of a family in flux but also underscores the powerful impact of reconnecting with one's roots.
By Shore Delano
My Father’s Fable is showing at Bush Theatre until 27 July.
★★★★☆