The Soul Exchange - review

The Soul Exchange will take you on a journey through Butetown in its present and its past - but which are we celebrating?

There's a moment at the end of National Theatre Wales's new production The Soul Exchange, when the audience, cast and crew are dancing in rhythm to a Butetown classic.

The culmination of a journey through the history and memories of one of Cardiff's most iconic districts, the finale envelopes you in the very feeling of 'community' championed through the entire piece – the effect is a body of people moving to the Butetown Anthem in synchronised exhilaration.

The production engaged in community involvement at all levels from the outset – famously researching characters and stories from Butetown's Tiger Bay era from local residents who also took part as actors, musicians, and directors.

Audience members are shuffled through the Glanfa hall of Wales Millennium Centre in an immigration-themed waiting room to board a fleet of taxis lined up in Roath basin. This part of the production has whipped up intrigue with theatregoers – eager to be the first to have a go on the ride and open to interaction with characters in the waiting area.

Taxis do their best to weave in and out of Butetown's streets – observing clusters of lit-up actors portraying traditional Bay scenes to accompany the audio played out over the speakers.

The story tracks the quest of John Richie – a Yorkshire man (with a suspiciously Cardiffian twang) seeking to find his father and discover the truth of his past. The authenticity of the Tiger Bay era shines through – all sourced from memories of those still living in the area – now one of Cardiff's most deprived.

Themes of change, solidarity and colourful family histories are knotted with sense of bitterness towards the council bulldozing its way through the community to make way for a new tourist hotspot in Cardiff Bay.

NTWales have not failed to impress once again with their innovative approach to Welsh culture and history.

The taxi ride adds layers of meaning to the audio plot with the artistic gaze put on the residents of Butetown, who unbeknown to them are on stage. With the spotlight on Butetown are we asked to observe the contrast to its former life, or see the cracks through to the reality of its dilapidated state?

The fleet pulls up outside the Coal Exchange for the dénouement of the drama – there's an overriding element of mourning Butetown as it was in its glory days – a funeral is held for Tiger – the embodiment of the heritage which lives on through the community. The final emphasis is on celebration – and the audience are left to decide whether to dance to the tune of the broken gramophone or to the modern mix-tape of Butetown's future.

Contributor

Hannah Waldram

The GuardianTramp

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