The Mountaintop
Taking our seat, the stage in front of us is a recreation of Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, the date April 3, 1968, the final night before the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
The Mountaintop is an engaging and powerful two-character play by Katori Hall focussing on a fictional reimagining of the last hours of King’s (Ray Strasser-King) life in the company of Camae (Justina Kehinde), a motel maid, with both actors delivering compelling performances that brought the complexity of their characters to life.
Strasser-King’s portrayal of Dr King skilfully balanced the leader’s publicly visible charisma and determination, while also revealing his inner turmoil and self-doubt. This portrayal is particularly striking, as it suggests another side to the figure we’re familiar with, reminding us that like all great men he’s also human adding another layer of understanding of his importance in the fight for civil rights in sixties America.
As Camae, Kehinde, serves as a catalyst for much of the play’s emotional and thematic depth, her presence provides a unique perspective on King’s legacy, flowing between a more personal conversation about hope, sacrifice, and the future of the movement and King’s legacy. The chemistry between Camae and King creates a dynamic that feels both intimate and profound, jumping easily from real human experience to tackling larger societal issues.
The minimalist set design effectively transports the audience to the 1960s, emphasising the claustrophobic nature of the motel room, which mirrors the tension of the moment. The clever use of lighting and sound enhances the atmosphere, capturing both the urgency of the historical moment and the quiet introspection of King’s last hours.
For the second part of the play the motel room is expanded and warped, the drama now moving from conventional biographical to a more profound mediation on life as King becomes aware of his pending death, Camae evolving from a maid to an angel/messenger from God.
However, while the play is incredibly impactful, it occasionally flirts with melodrama. Some moments felt slightly forced, as if the weight of the historical context was overshadowing the intimacy of the characters' relationship. That said, these instances are few and do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
The closing montage reminds us of the progress in the civil rights movement to which King was so central whilst reminding us that there is still more to be done.
In conclusion, The Mountaintop is a thought-provoking and moving piece that successfully humanises an iconic figure and suggests another side of their life not seen. It reminds audiences to reflect on the personal cost of leadership and the commitment to a cause as well as the ongoing struggle for justice
Two strong performances, evocative staging, and a rich script, well directed by Nathan Powell make this a must see.
This show was reviewed on the 29th October 2024 at Stratford East Theatre, London where it runs until the 2nd November 2024. Tickets available here: THE MOUNTAINTOP
Review written by Mike Stocks
AD/Gifted
Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
Check out other reviews from Curtain Call Reviews and get in touch to have our reviewers head to your show.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.