Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Side A Cast: Abel Lordan, Amaka Onaura, Emily Escott, Famia Umama, Fatima Sajal, Fred Lima, Freya Goss, Georgina Garrod, Kadisha Kayani, Kyle Walsh, Leela Maguire, Letticha Taylor, Linue Kuamona, Luke Coulson, Maya Harris, Rosie Evans, Sophia Kelly-Prandelli, Tia Hume-Jennings.
Side B Cast: Annie Mukete, Chris Maylor, Daniel Sebuyange, Emma Burns, Ezrah Watt-Haydon, Isobel Campbell, Isaac Hodgson, Jay Cast, Joel Cobblestone, Joel Hale, Josh Whitmore, Manoka Mbolokele, Nicole Kennedy, Owen Jones, Riaid Saif, Ryan Tomes, Shauna Higan, Scott Lewis, Shaundel Wright.
There is more than one way to look at the thorny, often complicated, price of debt, the monetary value usually takes care of its self, I owe, you need to repay them, they might even be in debt to me, it is the insanity of global economics, Britain is two trillion pounds in debit and rising, yet most of this we owe ourselves, the balance sheet hugely in the red because of inept management at the very top, because of greed and the disease of want. As complicated as it seems, get rid of the stigma of debt and less lives will be tainted, harmed, by this side of the world spinning on its axis in the perpetual chase to have money in the pocket.
It is the second and often more destructive version of debt that the team of youth and young actors, who make up the excellent Liverpool theatre company of 20 Stories High, really get to grips with in their latest piece of work, Indebted: The Mix-Tape.
It is a cry perhaps of the hurt, the damaged or the prowling, almost desperate plea and anger driven, “You owe me”, it is the emotional scare that tears at your soul and one which, no matter our age or experience in our life, still finds a way to beat us, cudgel and make us feel worthless, indebted for something that might have been offered originally as free, the sense of good will and kindness turned on its head and made cruel, spiteful and even dangerous.
It is a world where people can fall out with each other, the world of social media perhaps making this phenomenon more prevalent, especially for the young, driven by likes and retweets, feeling a sense of worthlessness if their on the spot photograph, or their observation isn’t met by the right person echoing the point.
The two-part play, one half each for the two sides of the 20 Stories High Theatre group, is one that captivates and opens the eyes wide for those in the audience who should understand the two concepts of debt owed more. The manipulation openly used against their children, loved ones, the sense of obligation, the use of phrases that are designed to control, not to reaffirm, these do absolute harm and it arguably the time to stamp such behaviour out. If you do something for someone, don’t view it as a way to store up a request later, it breeds contempt and distrust, if someone is going to love you, then they will own the ask for help with open arms, not because you make them feel obligated.
A marvellously set out and thoughtful piece of theatre by the youth and young actors, directed with passion by Nathan Powell, Julia Samuels and Abby Melia and with unyielding, abiding spirit by all concerned. A pleasure always to be in the company of those who look at the world from 20 Stories High.
Ian D. Hall