Regrets on the National Theatre's "Statement of Regret"

I booked tickets for this new play as a post-Christmas treat for my friend who is married to an Afro-Caribbean...I thought it might enrich our understanding of some of the issues.

But do I regret my decision! The play was turgid. Slow moving. Self indulgent. Painful. Locked in a place few Black Britons I know would recognise.

I admit that I am not particularly cultured but what was all this about? Coming to terms with the death of a much loved father? Feelings of inadequacy when one marries someone who is wealthier than you? How to deal with a failing and lacklustre semi-political career? How to treat legitimate and illegimate children? An advert for Alcholics Anonymous? A comment on ancient tribal rivalries? I think that Caribbean versus African infighting is a non-subject. Scraping the barrel. And the quoting of dubious educational statistics pitting Caribbean and African boys against each other - without a proper examination of the real issues - can hardly be helpful. Despite an incredible array of potentially exciting themes, the play limped along.

Yet the actors were good. They did their best. They even managed to raise a couple of laughs along the way. But they sure earned their money - the poor guy who was cast as a gay African had an almost impossible job to make his character credible.

The other characterisations were lazy at best and damaging at worst. I thought that the stereotypical "token" character who said prayers at the start of meetings was - frankly - insulting. Sorry. But I have to disagree with the media critics who raved about this production - frankly, I was not impressed. And - judging by the comments from my fellow audience members - both black and white - neither were they.

On a more positive note - and I always try to find the silver lining in any cloud - it is great that a fabulous institution like The National Theatre continues to put on such a mix of different productions with such diverse themes attracting such disparate London audiences. Even if occasionally it backs the wrong horse...