Our Eyes Looking for God review – exploring the Black British experience in rap, reggae and arias
The Pit, Barbican, LondonRenell Shaw and TD Moyo’s new opera, with libretto by April Koyejo-Audiger, tells a tragic story of two cousins. Gamba Cole shines as Adjani‘There’s no ocean big...
By Alexandra Coghlan · The Guardian Culture
The Pit, Barbican, London Renell Shaw and TD Moyo’s new opera, with libretto by April Koyejo-Audiger, tells a tragic story of two cousins. Gamba Cole shines as Adjani ‘There’s no ocean big enough to hold these black boys’ tears,” a young man sings. But what about a genre big enough? Our Eyes Looking for God – a show that aims to explore the “Black British experience” – finds a framework for the extravagant, baroque emotions, intensities and stories of its subject matter in opera. In many ways it’s a natural fit – or could be. Created in 2020 by writer, director and activist TD Moyo and award-wining composer Renell Shaw , the piece grows out of Moyo’s personal grief for a brother murdered in south London and the global race rage after George Floyd’s death. Moyo weaves both threads into the story of Liverpool cousins Adjani and Kamal. Adjani’s decision to leave for London sparks a final night of reminiscences, celebrations, farewells and violent tragedy for two boys who – spoiler alert – may already be dead before the action begins. Continue reading...