Mlima’s Tale (Kiln Theatre) London Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (5)
See it if You like intense physical theatre. The lead actor is quite a physical specimen and the way he portrayed the tusker sans props was quite good
Don't see it if You hate predictable plots. It's about the dirty biz of killing tuskers for ivory and how it finally adorns rich households
See it if you want to admire an incredible physical representation of an elephant, the lead is extraordinary in life and in "haunting"
Don't see it if you prefer a larger scale production, want new insights or don't enjoy actors doing different accents Read more
See it if you enjoy clever, simple and intimate theatre and have an interest in the ivory trade.
Don't see it if you prefer a fuller stage production with a big cast. This show is quite stripped back.
See it if You appreciate some great talent, creativity and surprising funny moments.
Don't see it if You don't appreciate phenomenal artistry with minimal props.
See it if you want to see some decent modern dance as Mlima is excellent and the staging is interesting
Don't see it if you want to be entertained; this has painful and cliched stereotypes and some really poor acting - go see Clyde's to see Nottage writing
Critic Reviews (11)
" 'Mlima’s Tale' is a devastating yet moving exploration into the ivory trade. A powerful drama beautifully played by a talented group of actors who bring Nottage’s script to life with such passion and tenacity, this is an urgent watch not to be missed."
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“ ‘Mlima’s Tale’ unfolds with the directness and simplicity of a child’s bedtime story. Yet it is the grimmest of Grimm tales...the entire production perfectly serves a narrative that ends up making you furious as well as sad, an unbearable play for today that is unfortunately only too real to be a fairy tale.”
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"For all the bloodletting at its core, the writing has its own incantatory beauty, so much so that Mlima’s final command to “run!” finds the audience more than ever rooted to its seats."
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“It’s a play that points out humanity’s selfishness and corruption. But, never does the script veer into thunderous rage. From the grave Milma sees the damning impact of greed and capitalism but Nottage’s strength as a writer is that his silent presence is enough to make you enraged. No words are wasted here – she doesn’t need them to be.”
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"The austere beauty of this production can’t be overstated. There are minimal props – a strip light for an office scene, boxes with lumps on for the ivory shop’s wares – but mostly it is a thing of shadows and silhouettes on two sets of gauze curtains, which are pulled across to change scenes by the four actors populating all the parts. "
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"Visually arresting and a testament to how powerful a statement can be made with such a minimalist approach, this new production is a welcome addition to both Nottage’s and Cromwell’s esteemed portfolios."
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Mandela Siobhan [Mlima] brings a sinuous physicality to the role and it is wrenchingly compelling to watch a man with no hint of an animal costume portray a magnificent creature in its death throes...There are occasional outbursts of overripe acting, but nothing can detract from the impact of magnificent Mlima’s supremely sad story.
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“Evil has its farcical side and Nottage fully displays this in darkly satirical dialogue while Mlima observes from the shadows...Of the cast of four who play the human characters, Natey Jones in particular excels, going from genuine grief as a bereft park warden to sleazy criminality. A thundering triumph.”
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