REVIEW: The Last Black Messiah by Emeka Agada at Etcetera Theatre 27 – 29 August
‘Powerful two-hander which needs more time to reach its full potential’ ★★★ ½
Political drama, written and starring award nominated actor Emeka Agada. The story is set in 1991 America, inside a prison, where black revolutionary and former professor awaits execution. Dr Oko receives an unexpected visit from a former student, Asante, who is now a journalist.
On the surface it appears that Asante has come to deliver a box full of memorabilia for his former professor, but in fact his visit has far more ominous objectives. In this gripping two hander the pair discuss revolutionary ideals, some activist’s roots in black left leaning Marxism, those who believe in violence but only when ‘they’ strike first. Having knowledge of the appalling history of genocide and dismantling society’s inequalities is what makes Dr Oko radical and whilst as a student Asante was his prospective follower, it didn’t happen.
The drama is very complex and reveals something quite fundamental. Asante appears very comfortable with his life, football, Howard University, a family man and a career. It’s the old story, he’s been subsumed into the well-off middle classes leaving others less fortunate, behind. It becomes a story of betrayal, and it really depends upon your politics, as to where your sympathies might lie. Added to this is the mention of drug dependency, rock (crack cocaine) which at one point is smuggled into the prison to entice Dr Oko to use it. He might have need of it considering the brutality of prison, solitary confinement (after assaulting a police officer) and how these things have worked to grind him down.
A British audience might struggle with some of the references, and the significance of that period, at the end of Reagan era, if they don’t know much about black American history. However, there are some transferable ideas here, including the struggle for rights, considering how fiercely the Suffragettes fought in Britain. Causing criminal damage, suffering forced feeding and being willing to die for their cause, are amongst some of the most radical aspects. The struggle continued and was eventually won and just look at how comfortable women are now. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who fought for our freedom.
Actors Emeka Agada (Dr Oko) and Kenneth Butler (Asante) contrast and glance off each other nicely. Agada as Dr Oko is quietly spoken which enables the flashbacks to his powerful revolutionary speeches to resonate around the black box space. Butler as Asante is an all-American boy (albeit he is black American he has embraced the ideal), with all the confidence of his advantage. Later his conflict of conscience is palpable and so too is a sense of shame. So, two excellent actors, but the show didn’t become as riveting as might be expected.
Director Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller leans into thrillers, often with a film noir quality and stylish visuals which gives his work its unique flair. Here, it largely worked well, with voice-overs and sound also showing a stylised approach. However, the themes of Agada’s drama have more depth and history to excavate. Somehow the really big moments don’t land as well as they should. More of a sense of subtext might help, and more of a recognition between the two characters of different states of power play, deceiving each other, or taking each other by surprise. In other words, more provocation and reaction or character development. When Asante’s real motives are revealed, it should be devastating. There is the question of whether Dr Oko is beaten by the events, or he is defiant to the end? The climax to the drama, when he is asked to record his final words, should be tear jerking stuff, but it doesn’t happen.
In all probability the actors and director need more time to let the show settle in. Usually, a first night is a preview, and the show really gets on its feet during the run, so let’s hope the show gets picked up for a longer run, to enable it to reach its full potential.
Political drama is most welcome right now, with so much horrendous news around the world. We might not learn anything new from Agada’s drama, but it is well written with an understanding of how drama works. His emphasis on human frailty also works well especially as this is something that fascinates an audience. There’s a wealth of talent here and we trust that the drama will be picked up for a longer run.
Read interview with Emeka Agada here.
The Last Black Messiah at Etcetera Theatre 27 – 29 August 2025
Box Office https://www.citizenticket.com/events/etcetera-theatre/the-last-black-messiah/
Presented by BlackPen Productions & Black Bat Productions
Director: Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller
Cast: Emeka Agada stars alongside Kenneth Butler, a recent Guildford School of Acting graduate.
