by Zahid Fayyaz

This summer production is Billy Porter’s directorial debut, starring Omari Douglas and Alexander Lincoln. Harrison David River’s two-hander follows the story of Jessie and Neil and their tragic love story in the turbulent period of 2012-2017. The play cuts between different parts of the couple’s relationship, from the highs and lows, with a background consisting of the end of Obama’s presidency and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The tension in the relationship between Jesse and Neil focuses on Neil being a strident activist whereas Jesse has more passive feelings about the injustices within American views on race. This tension shows itself as Neil’s anger at Jesse’s supposed apathy, and Jesse just wanting to live his life. The show flashes back and forwards from scene to scene, in a way which can occasionally take a moment to register the right time period, but which never gets too confusing. The script is full of jokes however, with charismatic lead performances effectively propelling the story forward. The more serious pathos of the story never gets lost however, and the show is both moving and funny.

This is a wonderful and moving revival, and a great addition to the Soho Theatre’s summer season. It’s well worth watching whilst its on; it’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.

This Bitter Earth runs through 26 July.