Writer: Jaisal Marmion
Director: Ben Grant
Liam has an Indian dad and an Irish mum, which makes him ‘the only brown boy in Skibbereen’ and the leading exponent of gangsta rap in County Cork. Not only an exponent but a reincarnation. When Tupac Shakur met his untimely end on the streets of Las Vegas, his spirit and his rhyme-spitting expertise were transported to the south coast of Ireland. Liam believes this whole-heartedly, in the face of considerable scepticism from his mum and his best mate, and intends to prove it to the world when he brings da noize to “Cork’s Got Talent”, just as soon as he’s blagged the bus fare from his loving granddad.
Jaisal Marmion is the author and performer of this 60-minute piece. He is enormously charming, very funny, and does quite credible rapping. He deals with big subjects – cultural appropriation, racist abuse, the strains of being a single parent, and familial tension. Lots of large, bleak topics. He gives them due consideration without being preachy or portentous. His impression of his grandfather – old, sick, weak, but alert and loving, is particularly well drawn.
The very minimal set (a chair and a mic on a stand), is beautifully supported by some magnificent video and projection scenery, designed by Douglas Baker. The korma animation that gives the piece its name is particularly noteworthy and particularly well-timed. The integration of performance and projection is note-perfect and looks very intuitive. It probably requires lots of skill and lots of effort, but it is definitely worth it.
Jaisal Marmion has a very light touch, and might well be happy to send his audience out into the night amused and charmed, but he does more than that. He identifies the outlaw stylings of black Americans (and the occasional black East Ender) as anthems of liberation, expressions of solidarity for a lonely boy finding his place in a small community. And if his mum prefers Van Morrison, that’s okay too.
Runs until 26 January 2024
