Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey at Birmingham Rep Review

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Tue 25 Jun 2024 - Sat 29 Jun 2024

Retelling Jamaica's entwined history with the UK through music from reggae to ska, Rush has returned to Birmingham in the week of Windrush Day. But this enthralling show is far more important than just a glorious soundtrack, there's unforgettable real-life stories and vital messages being told too.

Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey runs at Birmingham Rep Theatre from June 25 until Saturday, June 29 by Rush Theatre Company.

It's a mix of a concert, history, video clips and comedy that aims to be a celebration despite the many difficulties faced by the Windrush generation and their descendants after being invited to live and work in the UK after World War Two.

Lively Rastafarian DJ Ken Dread kicks things off with his infectious energy and joy, a live wire who keeps the momentum building, dancing in trainers that light up and encouraging everyone to clap and dance to live music from the impressive JA Reggae Band.

Witty narrator Andrina Davis manages to bring humour throughout, but that's no surprise as her other job is as a stand-up comic under the stage name Blackstyle. She hits just the right tone as she brings to life endearing historical stories but also highlights terrible racism from politicians, police and Teddy boys that sadly sound all too familiar to current times.



There's even a jaw-dropping moment when an openly racist Conservative Party leaflet is revealed from the 1960s. On the brighter side, there's a comical look at household items every Jamaican home would have like pineapple-shaped ice buckets that bring knowing laughs from many in the crowd.

It's this warm, friendly, intimate atmosphere that makes the show overwhelmingly uplifting and entertaining with plenty of interactive moments. Everyone is given a boarding card when they arrive and the audience is treated as the shipmates, heading with hope for a new life abroad. Some even get the chance to limbo on stage.

Songs span ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock, dancehall and reggae as a large screen displays rotating records as a backdrop. Popular hits from the likes of Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Millie Small and of course, Bob Marley keep on coming and are shoe-horned into the narration, although sometimes in a slightly tenuous way.

Despite that, every song is a showstopper especially as performed by the excellent vocalists Letitia George and IKA plus backing singer Ruth Ible.

Musical director Orvil Pinnock is on lead guitar in the band that gels beautifully together and looks as though they are enjoying themselves. It includes Adrian Gibson on trumpet, Matthew Graham on keyboard, Wayne Scott on drums, Peter Johnson on trombone, Anne Tinsely on saxophone and Peter Reed on bass guitar.

Rush truly is a joyous and special show. You'll laugh, learn a few things and want to make sure mistakes of the past never happen again but most of all you'll be uplifted by the scintillating soundtrack.

RATING: 4 out of 5 stars

Tickets are available from Birmingham Rep Theatre website here where it stays until Saturday, June 29 and cost from £24.50.

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