Writer: Victor Richards
This show tells the story of Augustus Johnson’s arrival at Tilbury in June 1948 on HMS Empire Windrush. He’s left his home in Barbados for a new life in England, the ‘mother country’ that has granted British citizenship to its colonial subjects. Arriving in the hope of finding a home and a good job, Augustus (Victor Richards) soon discovers a welcome that is less than warm.
Racism and outright hostility abound, though he’s helped to settle into his new life by friends and relatives. In this show, Augustus becomes a kind of Windrush everyman, his experiences typical of thousands who simply wanted to work, make a home and raise a family in the UK. Although he’s a skilled and qualified carpenter, the best he can do initially is accept work as a labourer.
By setting the action late on in the life of Augustus, Victor Richards creates an opportunity for him to reflect on key events that have happened over the decades. Clearly unwell, with a persistent cough, he’s packing to return to Barbados, where he will return to his family and live out his remaining time.
Richards does superbly well in making our encounter with Augustus feel so intimate. We’re invited into the home of a diffident old man who somehow opens up about his life, showing us his modest purchases from the corner shop and his copy of the bible. During his wry monologue, he picks up a series of framed photographs that mean a lot to him. There’s a picture of his wedding with his late wife, a snap of his relatives, Queen Elizabeth, Martin Luther King.
Music features strongly, including ska numbers, and 007 (Shanty Town) by Desmond Dekker and the Aces. Augustus is not averse to having a nostalgic little dance here and there, and he talks movingly about his wife while holding her dresses. Altogether this is a beautiful portrait of a type of unassuming man who would otherwise have passed through society without much comment or acknowledgement.
By extension, the play captures a significant piece of postwar history. There are few surprises if you’re already aware of the Windrush story, but it’s a sound introduction if you aren’t. Richards explained afterwards that he originally devised the piece for school audiences. His passion for telling this story of the Afro-Caribbean experience in Britain is plain to see.
Runs until: 12 August 2025
