A Boy and His Soul

I’m not normally one for monologues and one-person shows, but this is an exception.

Colman Domingo’s biographical piece tells his story of growing up and coming out as a black man in Philadelphia. Set in the basement if the family home as he sorts out stuff pre-sale, post-bereavement, he flashes back to key points in his life using the soul music as a soundtrack. In addition to playing himself, he effectively plays his parents, siblings and aunt with just a change of voice, posture and expression.

I think his great achievement is to bring alive this world that you really do enter, with great warmth and charm and self-deprecating humour. He occasionally talks direct to the audience, perhaps asking them if they remember a particular track, and this adds to the feeling of intimacy; you’re there in the basement being told the story of his life.

A lovely, funny, heart-warming show which has gone already but surely must return.