🎭Why A Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister
📍Camden People’s Theatre
🎟️PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zakiyah Deen’s debut play delves into intersectionality, British politics, and Black women’s maternal health, addressing uncomfortable truths through satire and spoken word. It’s timely, important and a brilliant production!
The story
The play follows nineteen-year-old Shanice Laybá (Zakiyyah Deen) as she navigates the tricky and treacherous worlds of university and politics. Shanice, passionate about poetry, reading and determined to do well, begins her first year at university and lands an internship role as an Executive Assistant to high-profile politician, John Gainsborough (Ryan Whittle). Over nine months, we watch Shanice’s journey as she juggles her studies, her internship, and her health. The show brilliantly captures the struggles and challenges Black women face, particularly within healthcare and the political climate. As Shanice provides much of the unacknowledged labour in John’s office and his community engagements, the question echoes: Why can’t a Black woman be Prime Minister?
My thoughts
Written and performed by Zakiyyah Deen, their debut play is packed with satire, spoken word and vivid storytelling that engages us right from the beginning. Deen’s writing is both powerful and rich in poetic cadence. The words flow effortlessly, direct and unflinching as it confronts uncomfortable truths and the harrowing statistics of Black maternal healthcare.
Kelechi Okafor’s direction strikes the perfect balance between humour and serious tones, ensuring the show never loses its rhythm. It’s a testament to Zakiyyah Deen’s versatile performance that the play manages to move so seamlessly between laugh-out-loud moments and heavy, thought-provoking commentary. Deen delivers a strong performance; I was so impressed with how they commanded the stage, embodying a range of characters with sharp wit and physical comedy. Deen sustains the audience’s attention throughout the entire production, with energy and precision.
Jahmiko Marshall’s atmospheric lighting design heightens the intensity of key moments, especially during Shanice’s monologues as dims to reflect her growing inner turmoil. I also loved the lighting cues during the hilariously accurate Question Time segment, which had the audience in stitches.
Whittle’s portrayal of John, the bumbling politician, is an uncanny resemblance to a former prime minister, evoking plenty of laughs from the audience. Having worked in local government myself, I couldn’t help but giggle at the scenes where John attempts to engage with the community in an awkward, slightly out-of-touch manner. The scenes with John and Shanice are often where the satire sharpens; those uncomfortable microaggressions and stereotypes make the audience sigh in recognition.
Throughout the show, text projected onto the wall answers the title question, reminding us why society might believe a Black woman could never lead as Prime Minister. These words serve as a subtle transition between scenes, guiding the story while providing critical context for Shanice’s experiences. Deen’s play articulates themes I haven’t seen in on a theatre stage before. It feels authentic, insightful and provokes essential discussion.
Why A Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister explores intersectionality – specifically how Black women experience discrimination in the political and healthcare systems. Through Shanice’s journey, the audience sees the layered racial and gender biases she faces, which mirrors the harsh realities of society today. I’m so thankful to have witnessed a production so challenging and moving. Zakiyyah Deen has crafted a powerful piece that doesn’t just entertain—it educates and enlightens!
The show is playing at Camden People’s Theatre until 9 November!
English