
The Legends of Them
“My name is Lorna Gee and I am who I am”
The Legends of Them has opened at Royal Court Theatre. It’s by Sutara Gayle, a leading British actor, who is also known as the award-winning, internationally acclaimed reggae artist Lorna Gee.
The Legends of Them is a chronicle of reggae legend Lorna Gee’s extraordinary life. In India, Lorna’s memories and the legends of her life come to guide her- her mother Euphemia, her sister Cherry, her brother Mooji and her ancestor, Nanny of the Maroons. I didn’t know much about Sutara heading into the performance so this gave me an insight into her life story including witnessing domestic violence, experiencing sexual abuse, being a care experienced young person, a strained relationship with her mother and many other challenges. There’s themes of identity, family, and tragedy. Combining monologue and song, it’s an inner journey of discovery and learning.
Given its autobiographical, memory is central. The non-linear structure, and fragmentation of memories through effective sound and lighting conveys this. Due to it being by a one woman show Sutara acts as her younger self as well as over 20 roles including her mother, Nanny of the Maroons, and various others who only have a line or two. This can make it confusing and at times I wondered where in her story we were or how we’d got there.

This is Sutara’s debut show as a writer-performer. She delivers an authentic and heartfelt performance for the duration of the 80 minute show. I particularly liked a song about coming home after the birth of her son. She delivers some great lines about memory. A favourite was “you have nothing in the world to conquer or to challenge or to transcend apart from your mind. All your neighbours live here. Your enemies and friends live here. Your gods and demons live here. And your self imagined lives here”. How true.
Upon entering the theatre you see fog, a chair and table with a sound system stacked in the centre. Joshie Harriette’s lighting makes good use of this location, emphasising the importance of music to Sutara’s life. The audience was silent as documentary footage was projected relating to her sister Cherry Groce, whose wrongful death by the police in the 1980s was a catalyst for the Brixton riots. An unknown male speaker provides words of wisdom that are projected onto the screen; though we are never quite clear who this person is, my guess was her brother, or perhaps Sutara is speaking to herself.
Elena Peña’s soundscape particularly shines in a moment of frantic breathing.
The Legends of Them is a Hackney Showroom production, originated at Brixton House in 2023. It is directed by Jo McInnes.
The Legends of Them is performing at Royal Court Theatre until 21 December with tickets from £15.
Address: Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS
Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com
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Written by Caitlin Neal

