Let There Be Love

Back from the theatre again ... this time Kwame Kwei Armah's 'Let There Be Love' at the Tricycle. A surprise to see such a domestic drama from this writer .. but also a delight. I've seen some reviews complaining of sentimentality, but that didn't bother me at all. I'd rather see something sentimental that moves me than an intellectual piece of political drama that leaves me cold. And move me it did - tears dripping off my chin by the end! It was a very traditional piece with a realistic set with the dreaded sofa at the centre- but this is the exception that proves the rule (the rule being that any play with a sofa in it is likely to be pedestrian and unimaginative. Unfair prejudice, possibly - but think about it). The subject matter of the play was of course (given the writer) contemporary, and the evening was made by the superlative performance of Lydia Leonard as Polish home help Maria - it's hard to imagine a better performance. Joseph Marcel takes the lead, and is, as always, marvellous. I first saw him playing Othello at the Lyric Hammersmith and have never seen him turn in a bad performance (and that includes the ultimate tosh that is The Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Sharon Duncan-Brewster completes the cast, as the spikey and difficult daughter - a character who in less competent hands could be unsympathetic. A moving and engaging show. Let there be love indeed.

Tiata Delights and surprise meetings

Last Thursday was Tiata Delights at the Almeida which was indeed delightful. I went with my husband Matthew, and Michael Walling and Roe Lane of Border Crossings. Really interesting new West African plays; both were flawed but had brilliant moments and kept my interest throughout. Tiata Fahodzi producer Thomas Kell has worked wonders on the audience development front - it was a really good house, especially when you consider that these were rehearsed readings and not finished performances. Of course there were some wonderful performances, notably from Danny Sapani (one of my very favourite actors) and overall it was a great evening.

There was a surprise for me that night ... I glanced at the next row and saw my ex-colleague from Nanzikambe, Melissa Eveleigh. I haven't seen her for about 18 months, and thought she was in Malawi, so my jaw actually dropped! Great to be able to catch up though, as I've been trying to speak to her about MAF for some time, but due to pressure of work we never seem to be available at the same time.

Organisation for MAF2009 continues to gather pace ... I had a long conversation with Harry Gibbs, who is organising at the Malawi end. He is now officially on board as Production Manager, overseeing the technical side of the festival, and recruiting and managing the Event Production Team. A great relief to have someone so experienced and competent to work alongside me.