The shocking and appalling reality of The Windrush Scandal is brought to vivid life in this new stage adaptation of the groundbreaking BBC Drama 'Sitting in Limbo', produced by Left Bank Pictures. I remember watching the show when it was first broadcast and feeling utterly gut-punched by the frightening exploitation of power wielded by heartless state operators, specifically the Home Office, against innocent members of the Windrush Generation, who were made to feel like illegal immigrants in their own country.
Gary McDonald was a convincing and empathetic lead, portraying the disbelief and astonishment of Anthony at finding himself trapped in the ruthless mechanics of procedure, detention and red tape after a lifetime of calling Britain home. The reality of Theresa May's 'Hostile Environment' was made immediately visible with projected statistics about the political context of the time, and chilling audio of her uncompromising voice. Anthony's eager desire to ignore and downplay what was happening to him in the vain hope that it would sort itself out was all too understandable, and the anger beneath the surface, when it broke through, was visceral and moving.
His wife, played with stoicism and infectious energy by Doreene Blackstock, was heroic in her refusal to let her husband slip away, either under the weight of the cruelty of the state's dogged pursuit, or indeed under his own self pity. And their son, a spritely and charming Victor Masha Jr, brought a revolutionary edge to the narrative, refusing to be cowed by the police and contacting a journalist to get his father's story out to a wider public.
Indeed, without the investigative journalism of The Guardian this scandal might have remained hidden to this day, hundreds of victims of government hounding feeling as if they were the only ones being persecuted. The Guardian was the first to expose the systemic and racist nature of the government's policy in action. At one point the question is asked: Would this have happened if you'd been from Australia, Canada or New Zealand? The obvious and resounding answer is: No.
Rich Dodd completes the cast, switching between a wide range of characters with consummate speed, shifting accents, mannerisms and costumes in a way that was a tribute to the magic of theatre. Overall, an essential and shocking story told with clarity and heart. Well done to the Watford Palace Theatre for creating the space to keep it being told.
