Anna Burnside reviews ‘an important story well told’.
Three black men are hanging from an invisible tree. The lights go up on their still bodies and lolling heads. Then, well after the audience begins to feel really awkward, they slowly unfurl and start a lurid commentary on a woman passing by.
Over one intense hour the three, from different generations, discuss life, love and the Blues. Without leaving the tree. America’s racist history, short and long-term, are not mentioned directly but present in every line.
Who are they? Where are they? Why are they there? By leaving so many questions unanswered, writer/director Zora Howard creates something that goes beyond immediate events. Hang Time’s themes - prison, an unplanned pregnancy, whether or not Muddy Waters is king of the Blues - are universal.
The costumes are washed out and timeless, without brands or details to fix them in a specific period. There are train noises and discussion of water without any actual geography to ground the narrative.
Instead of being irritants, these are clever devices to spotlight the universal themes that lie behind the pin sharp dialogue.
Actors Kamal Bolden, Bryce Foley and Julian Rozzell are archetypes, not stereotypes, giving their characters rich interior lives as well as some great patter.
At the end, when the lights go down and a set of stairs is wheeled on to allow them to finally step down from the set, the audience can relax at last. It’s a huge relief to see the actors loosen up and smile.
It’s an important story well told and an important element of this year’s All Rise theme.
Hang Time is part of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and performs until 23 August 2026 at the Lyceum Theatre. For further details, go to the EIF’s website.
Photo by Andrew Perry.
RSS