Stanley Townsend (Mr Parks) & Ivanno Jeremiah (Sidney Poitier) in Retrograde at the Apollo Theatre. Credit - Marc Brenner.There have been rumblings that Poitier’s friendships and associations with men like Paul Robeson and others, could give the FBI and McCarthy’s House UnAmerican Activities Committee the sort of ammunition which would reflect poorly on the film and TV studios. The men in grey suits need and demand reassurance.
What starts as a mild mannered chat between Poiter (Ivanno Jeremiah) and the TV studio’s exec lawyer Larry Parks (Stanley Townsend) soon morphs into politely disguised hostility between the two men. One is the naïve and youthful representative of justice and morality, an actor privately embarked on a crusade for respect, equal rights and racial equality. The other, represents the risk-averse entrenched middle-aged bastion of white normality and society’s controlling influence. If everyone is to come away from this meeting with what they want whilst managing to feel good about themselves, then there is no room for honesty or scruples. The game simply isn’t played that way. Thrust into the middle of this impossible situation is Bobby (Oliver Johnstone) who is loosely based on the scriptwriter Robert Alan Arthur who as each scene progresses, manages to help and hinder the decision making process in equal measure.
To win the long-term macro argument, Poitier must compromise his convictions by publicly selling-out his hero (Robeson - an espouser of socialist and communist ideals) to assuage studio fears and secure a rung-up on the industry ladder. In time, this will undoubtedly lead to greater and more influential platforms. To refuse now, would be fatal to his career and see him added to the list of Red sympathisers and fair game for entertainment columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons who can destroy reputations and careers with one article.
This no-win situation is fundamental to Ryan Calais Cameron’s historically based play in which he presents the moral dilemma faced by a young and talented actor, whose scruples and beliefs are tested in a modern retelling (though played-out in a private and less celebrated manner) of the impossible choices presented to the likes of Sir Thomas More, or even Jesus in the desert.
Thankfully there’s not an ounce of po-faced pontificating and the play sizzles with funny fiery barbs which are as topical today as they’ve ever been. Indeed the wit and relevance to the current calamitous goings-on on across the Atlantic, reminds us that progress can easily be lost when individuals are looking the other way or in denial. Were it not for men like Robeson, Martin Luther King Jr and of course Belafonte and Poitier, the Americas would still be a lawless and violent place! All we can say right now, is watch this space, but in the meantime if you want respite from the orange menace and his cohorts and you love a good play with spot-on performances, catch the Kiln Theatre’s West End transfer, which is beautifully directed by Amit Sharma on a stylish period set by Frankie Bradshaw.
RETROGRADE plays the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue and is booking to Father’s Day (Sunday 15th June).
