In this personal and rather intimate piece, there’s something for everyone: the music lover, the fan of narrative engaging empires (British or otherwise), and the intimate theatre lover. I first came across the performer headlining this solo show in their turn at the new edition of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic, and was aware of the talents I was about to witness, and boy did Anoushka Lucas not disappoint.

With Elephant, we’re not short of shows that showcase the plight of melanated folks as they navigate around the world with their race either causing them distress, or allow them to experience life in a different experience to their caucasian contemporaries. We saw this in Small Island at the National does on such a grandiose staging, and yet this manages to really shine as brightly in telling a captivating narrative in the Bush’s Holloway Theatre space.

This is a canonical piece, there’s discussion of race but also this is accompanied by live music (not quite a musical) that is stunning in equal measures. It did feel a little tired in its writing and the fact its a debut did show, but the overall effect of this necessary piece was marvellous. It did, on the whole, make myself and audience members laugh – and weep – at the lives of the protagonist Lylah whose adoration for her piano sets the background for this tale.

Loosely based on Lucas’ own experiences as a mixed-race person in Britain, this show at its height looks at how someone with working class roots navigates their own heritage whilst receiving a music bursary. There’s code-switching (which I too myself have exeprienced), and the play touted as a monologue flows seamlessly.

Jess Edwards’ direction has to be commended as the scenes of intensity are handled with grit and realism. There’s always aa shining light on Lucas’ character and it’s not at all contrived as sometimes these pieces can come to be. In all, this work is a success for the way we tell stories – and goest to show that the Bush is strong since the P Word’s success. Long may it bring more working class and marginalised voices to centre-stage.

Until 12 Nov: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/elephant-2023/

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