We take a look at what is being said about the UK premiere of James Ijames’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
WhatsOnStage: *** “There are some cracking lines and smart ideas – a game of charades works particularly well as a cipher for the play within a play – but some are stretched beyond credulity and undermine the cleverness of the fundamental approach. Rev’s comeuppance is at the hands of fate rather than Juicy, for instance, while Juicy himself (no spoiler this time) acts out of character at a crucial moment in the denouement, purely to serve a plot point and enable a Drag Race-style lip-sync finale.”
The Guardian: **** “The play’s commitment to joy is elevated by the fun-times production (by Sideeq Heard, based on Saheem Ali’s original) and a terrific British cast (Jasmine Elcock’s glowering, kinetic Opal is a particular treat). There’s good booty work in the choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie: never mind the hams, it’s all about the butts. Fat Ham isn’t a masterpiece but helps its characters find their way to happiness.”
Stage Talk Magazine: **** “It takes chutzpah to reimagine the world’s most famous play so that the setting is transformed from the royal court at Elsinore to a backyard barbecue in the American South. Or to ensure that the appearance of the ghost under a red gingham tablecloth resembles something out of Scooby Doo. To say nothing of the fact that the famous play-within-the-play scene in which Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, reveals his guilt becomes a game of charades staged to accuse a murderer. Even more daring is the discovery that the ending of a tragedy, far from being preordained, can metamorphose into a glitter-ball disco.”
The Reviews Hub: ***** “This feels like an important piece of theatre, but it does not feel weighed down by that. It has a lightness of touch, a confidence and a rich vein of humour that means it is a play that fills audiences with joy. And we all need that in our lives right now.”
The Telegraph: *** “Fat Ham, a modern black American retelling at the RSC, feels like a grab-bag of under-developed ideas.”
The Stage: **** “Olisa Odele stars in the infectiously fun UK premiere of James Ijames’ joyful and bombastic queer retelling of Hamlet.”
All That Dazzles: ***** “James Ijames’ layered writing thrills from the first moment, quickly luring the audience in with wit, humour, and sharp writing.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Fat Ham builds to a bold, unexpected finale that makes the journey more than worth it. This sharp tragicomedy is packed with energy, weaving together the cycles of violence, the richness of Black culture, and the fierce resilience of family ties. It’s unlike anything else on the UK stage right now. It’s fresh, fearless, and unforgettable.”
Theatre & Tonic: ***** “Led by Olisa Odele as Juicy, his performance is magnetic. Odele brings his character to life with a delightful blend of sharp wit and emotional depth that drives the narrative perfectly. He’s joined by Jasmine Elcock, Sandra Marvin, Corey Montague-Sholay, Andi Osho, Sule Rimi and Kieran Taylor-Ford, an exceptionally talented collective who are equally razor-sharp with their characters. Their chemistry with one another is electric on stage and adds to the comedic impact. Sandra Marvin and Sule Rimi were particular standouts!”
Curtain Call Reviews: **** “Sideeq Heard’s direction makes this is an important and relatable piece of theatre, particularly for a younger audience. It’s funny, it’s unafraid and it’s brilliantly played out.”
Fat Ham continues to play at the Swan Theatre until the 13th September.