Danny Lee Wynter has returned to the London stage with a new play at the Donmar Warehouse, marking a striking evolution from his earlier work. Three years after his debut play Black Superhero, which Wynter himself left during its run citing personal reasons, this latest production draws heavily on his own life experiences and has received praise for its humor, emotional depth, and strong performances.
The drama centers on Ted, a reserved mixed-race teenager growing up in a boisterous white working-class family in 1990s East London. The story unfolds during the funeral of the family matriarch, bringing to light tensions and complexities within the household. Ted’s strained relationships with his mother Tillie, portrayed by Ria Zmitrowicz, and her estranged husband Ken, played by Gershwyn Eustache Jr., are key focal points. The play explores Ted’s struggles with his sexuality, which cause him significant internal conflict.
A pivotal figure in Ted’s journey is Patrick, a gay dancer and an old friend of Tillie, who has lived through the AIDS crisis. Played by Craig Stein, Patrick introduces Ted to an alternative lifestyle and a wider world of identity and expression. One notable scene involves Patrick taking Ted to see a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Donmar, where actor Adrian Lester stars. This meta-theatrical moment leads into an exuberant tribute to Barbra Streisand that highlights the director Tim Sheader’s energetic staging.
Despite some rough edges, the play’s dialogue is noted for its sharp, witty family interactions that feel authentic and engaging. Leo Whitfield Harris, making his professional stage debut as Ted, captures the character’s teenage angst and confusion with a compelling mix of defiance and vulnerability. The supporting cast adds further depth, with Charlotte Jaconelli and Jodie McNee delivering vivid performances as Ted’s acerbic aunts Ann and Jackie, who inject humor and candidness into the family dynamic.
Aaron Gill portrays Raj, Ann’s partner, bringing an outsider’s critical perspective on the family, while Lindsey Coulson appears in flashback as Eileen, the strong-willed grandmother whose presence looms over the narrative. Period-specific costumes and hairstyles from the 1980s complement these glimpses into the family’s past.
The play is noted for avoiding excessive sentimentality, instead allowing its characters to exist on their own terms. It addresses themes of identity, belonging, and tradition, exemplified in moments such as a heartfelt speech by Jackie’s partner Trevor, played by Cary Crankson, who remains largely quiet until the play’s closing scenes.
Overall, Wynter’s latest work has been recognized for its entertaining and insightful portrayal of ordinary lives navigating complex personal and social realities.