Amsterdam

I have to say that I am not a fan of performance poetry so I approached this production with trepidation. Several people had urged me to give it a go so I duly turned up at Upstairs at The Western prepared to be bored and disengaged. How wrong I was. This is not poetry as I know, and fear, it. I would describe it as structured prose. There is a rhythm to it which becomes almost unnoticeable but which gives it a metre.
Amsterdam by Chanje Kunda is the story of a single mother an opportunity for some excitement in her life. A black Shirley Valentine if you will. Inventively staged with a set full of gaps, spaces and even hidden furniture, Chanje is stuck in a domestic rut as evidenced by her initial costume of domestic detritus. Given a chance to escape rain sodden Manchester if only for a while she ends up in Amsterdam jumps into an adventure which reignites the female identity which had become buried beneath her role as a mother. With her distinctive Mancunian accent she, surprisingly, ends up as Artist In Residence at a club with a sexy boyfriend tending to her needs. Chanje's emotional bliss soon palls, however, when she is betrayed by her new love.
Using her physicality to shorthand emotions, Chanje inhabits every inch of the complex set to display a wide range of passions throughout her journey. The romantic adventure is hilariously counterpointed by her Mother's exhortations to be a good African daughter.
Amsterdam is touring the country and can be seen in Bradford, London, Liverpool, Bracknell and Doncaster in the next few weeks. www.chanjekunda.com 

First published in Western Gazette 
© Paul Towers 2014