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Okai Collier Company The Smilin' State
by Noel White
Hackney Empire Studio
3 – 21 June, 2008
A review by Allan Taylor for EXTRA! EXTRA!
Set in Lake City, Minnesota, The Smilin’ State draws on White’s experiences of farming there for seven years. Milton and Bruce Huffman (father and son respectively) stand outside on their farm waiting for a storm to come. Before it comes they explore God, their past, marriage and, inevitably, death. Is the storm that’s about to arrive a gift from God, or will it raise hell on this quiet farming land? Easily mistaken for a cross between Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, White never stops twisting the knife in this deeply moving and darkly fascinating play. The Huffman family’s obsession with religion drives them to the point of delirium and insanity, and what starts out as a touching conversation between someone who should know better (Milton) and someone who doesn’t know any better (Bruce) soon transforms into a play far from the realms of reality. Rob Carroll is touching and heartfelt as Bruce Huffman. By the end of the play, I wanted to take him home and give him a cuddle. Marjorie Hayward is perfect as Ethel Huffman, the off kilter and eccentric mother who never stops believing in her son, and in God. Her bobbed grey hair and exact voice make for a striking image. With some great, poignant and striking one liners (“God’s kinda expensive nowadays”, “It’s not where you’ve been, but where you’re going”), the simplicity of the language and characters is what brings out its lovability. Starting with such a simple premise and extreme focus, White is able to turn the play into something else entirely, and takes the audience through on his train of thought. For White’s first full length play, he truly has done an amazing job, and I’m sure the chemistry with director Omar Okai has set this play off. The interesting set design by Kate Bannister and Karl Swinyard means we get the illusion of a muddy field (people scrambling around in mossy woodchip on the floor, corn leaves branching out over the screen in the background) without overloading it with illusion. For those who think Sarah Kane was a little too extreme, but prefer the dark undertones of contemporary theatre, this is the play you must see. In fact, I fail to think of a right minded person who would not see the point and importance of this piece. I expect the Royal Court will be grabbing this with both its hands by the end of its run (and if not, more fool them). Constantly surprising, entertaining, warm, heartfelt and tugging at the right strings at the right times, I was literally moved to tears at the end. I think that says it all.
The Smilin’ State is playing until the 21st June Performances: Mon-Sat 7.45pm Tickets: £12/£9 (conc) For more info, contact 0208 985 2424 or visit www.hackneyempire.co.uk
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