What’s it like?
Caroline or Change is set in Louisiana in 1963 and resounds with the swinging soul and upbeat funk of the neighbouring decades. It’s a small-scale domestic story with cleverly observed characters, a good helping of uplifting humour and songs which will raise the wee hairs on the back of your neck.
What’s it about?
It’s a simple story of the fraught triangular relationship between a stepmother, son and their maid. While Caroline, our struggling heroine, tries to keep her children on the pittance she earns as a maid, Rose, the new lady of the house, attempts to teach her careless stepson, Noah, the value of money. Though the story is literally “small change” it digs deep into issues of race, human rights and delicately portrays an emotional journey following bereavement.
Who’s in it?
Tonya Pinkins brings her critically acclaimed portrayal of Caroline from Broadway to the South Bank. You only have to listen to her powerful but silky-smooth singing voice to understand why she has been received so well in the role. She’s also a fabulous actress; her depiction of Caroline is punchy but extremely sensitive.
Anna Francolini plays the uptight but vulnerable Rose and Greg Bernstein, playing the spoilt son Noah, will surprise you with the maturity of both his singing voice and his acting abilities.
Who’d enjoy it?
If you love gospel, funk and the soulful laments of the Deep South you’ll be in musical heaven. It’s an aural feast of outstanding singing performances – like chocolate-fudge brownies for your ears.
What should I look for?
The singing inanimate objects. Caroline spends her days in the basement laundry room with the company of her buxom soul-sister washer, broad-bellied bass-booming dryer and a glamorous chorus-line of a radio. It sounds completely farcical but it works so well and is a perfect example of the warmth and humour of the performance.
Verdict
You’ll never look at your coppers in the same way again. Despite not having a complex plot or driving love interest, Caroline or Change is moving and completely absorbing. If you’re not on your guard you might just find yourself teary-eyed by the end.
Sara Sha'ath
Buy tickets for Caroline or Change - currently showing at the National Theatre.
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