This the autobiography of Dame Floella Benjamin adapted for the stage by children play genius David Wood.

I’m definitely from the generation who grew up watching Play School and Play Away on TV, back in the days when we were a captive audience, as we only really had programmes on a few times a day on one channel….I remember well the lovely lady with the infectious laugh and the fun earrings, often made of a certain round, hole-ey sweet!

But as I got older, I of course realised that there was much more to Floella, and this musical play, explores her childhood in Trinidad, and the family emigrating when she was just 10 years old from the Caribbean to England, and the many challenges she faced, before success in acting and children’s entertainment came her way. We know that those challenges included having to deal with racism, but that Floella has since become a Dame, and has been recognised by BAFTA by receiving their Fellowship, and sits in the House of Lords. We know she has an impressive record for campaigning, especially with the Windrush scandal.

This delightful musical play is perfectly aimed at older primary school children. It's fairly short, with the whole play being less than two hours. It is wonderfully colourful, funny in places, and charming, but it also doesn’t shy away from dealing with the racism that the family faced when they arrived in the UK. Above all, it shows huge pride in how the Windrush families have added to our culture, and ends with a wonderful tribute to Carnival.

The story is truly inspirational and the energy of all the performers is infectious. At the matinee performance I saw, the children in the audience were captivated, but also swaying along to the calypso and gospel music, clearly having fun, but also learning at the same time. A perfect introduction to difficult themes for youngsters. But what about the grownups? Well, this one certainly enjoyed herself. And looking around, the other adults in the audience were too. Lots of smiles, and laughter, and the odd ‘whoop’ at the really happy, or triumphant moments.

This production is beautifully staged. The show starts with the adult Floella in full blown Play School mode talking to the audience from a giant television, with the stage neatly framed within a 1970’s style TV box, complete with volume knobs.

Floella, played by Julene Robinson, asks the grownups who remembers watching her as a child and calls us her ‘play school babies’. That was a lovely touch.  Julene Robinson really beautifully captures the essence of Floella Benjamin. Her performance is just right. It is not caricature or impersonation, but it’s a lovely tribute to this wonderful icon of many of our childhoods.

The rest of the cast are also very good.  Another standout performance was from Maryla Abraham as Floella’s Marmie, who sang beautifully, but also really got across the pain of the mother who firstly had to manage with the kids whilst her husband, Dardie, played by Charles Angiama, left for a ‘better life’, and then had to leave 4 of her children behind, whilst she left with the youngest 2 to join him. That period in Floella’s and her 3 siblings’ lives was also very well dealt with by this production, with the cruelty of their foster carers being appropriately portrayed for this family audience.

I genuinely enjoyed finding out more about this period of history, and this pioneering lady. For Dame Floella, it’s true to say there is nothing like this Dame!   It’s a perfect mix of storytelling and fun for the whole family.

This show was reviewed on the 21st September 2024 at Oxford Playhouse.  To see all tour locations for this show visit: Children's Theatre | Family Days Out | Coming to England.

Review written by Ruth Hawkins

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