Theatre review: 'da Kink in my Hair is by turns a hilarious and heart-breaking visit to the salon
Black women’s experiences are braided throughout the Arts Club’s heartfelt rendition of Trey Anthony’s hit play
Alanna Bridgewater as Novelette in ’da Kink in my Hair. Photo by Moonrider Productions
The Arts Club presents ‘da Kink in my Hair at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage to May 15
FROM JOY TO to regret and everything in between, welcome to the world of hairdresser Novelette Campbell, a woman who knows that every head of hair tells a story. Untangling the triumphs and tragedies of the women who sit in Novelette’s salon chair, ‘da Kink in my Hair gets up close and personal with an intimate storytelling device: Black women's hair.
Trey Anthony’s play rose to success after its debut at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2001, later inspiring a television series of the same name and the addition of music to the original script. Here, director and choreographer Ray Hogg offers a musical that’s full of soul in every sense.
Novelette, played by Alana Bridgewater, is a stern and compassionate woman who is able to win the hearts of her clients. Through Novelette’s accommodating character, the audience lends an ear to tales of loss, adversity, and pure happiness from the women who visit the salon (Jenni Burke, Lossen Chambers, Ghislaine Doté, Paige Fraser, Tama Martin, Dawn Pemberton, and Katrina Reynolds).
Viewers get a glimpse at the common strands in the lives of these eight women, from racial dynamics to the experience of womanhood to loneliness and love. While it explores the plight of Black women in particular, ‘da Kink in my Hair braids together common experiences that everyone can relate to, to uplifting and sentimental effect.
’da Kink in my Hair. Photo by Moonrider Productions
The production bursts with movement, colour, and sound. With pianist Mary Ancheta (the show’s musical director) and percussionist Sally Zori leading several soul numbers, the musical component takes viewers’ empathy to an even more profound depth. Brilliant artist Itai Erdal contributes innovative lighting, while the set design by Kevin McAllister is dynamic and beautiful, featuring pop-art motifs and moving platforms. Nalo Soyini Bruce’s costume design is playful and spunky: the bright patterns and on-stage outfit changes make for an especially fun experience.
‘Da Kink In my Hair is as hilarious as it is heart-breaking. Ultimately, by opening their hearts and minds, the women within Novelette’s salon find community.
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