Afeni

Unexpectedly perfect.

I applaud the actress for holding the attention of the audience and remembering all those lines. The bits of laughter in a serious (and true) story were needed. I would definitely see it again.

An engrossing history lesson about Afeni Shakur's legal defence of herself & the "Panther 21" (which doesn't touch on her famous son until the end), & a must see, due to performer Onika Henry's charisma, plus #FringeTO veteran writer/director Adam Bailey.

On the edge of my seat the whole show, wanted it to never end! Without props, sets, costume changes, extra cast members, flashy gestures, fancy lighting, or immersion-breaking comedy, the sole performer draws your attention with nothing but a single chair and brilliant storytelling and acting. I was grinning at every smug joke, jaw-dropped at every dramatic turn, and inspired by the story of a woman who was not a victim or a mother famous by proxy, but a triumphant hero.

Gripping yet never exploitative, sincere while also surprisingly humorous, Adam Bailey’s “Afeni” is one of the most compelling new solo plays to debut at the Fringe in recent years. Based on true events, it recounts the story of Afeni Shakur, the Black Panther revolutionary who was arrested on unfounded, politically motivated charges and proceeded to successfully defend herself in court.

Click the link above to read my full review in the Toronto Star.

Alessandro Stracuzzi's NNNN review of Afeni from NEXT Magazine.

It gives me no pleasure to say that my time attending this show was a sensory disappointment. This disabled reviewer was (perhaps uniquely) struggling with over (and under) stimulation.

Our Afeni (embodied by a deep-skinned actor) performed against an all-black curtain, while only donning black/dark grey under a lighting design that lacked much brightness. It was dim most of the time. To make matters more challenging, the venue’s air conditioning unit was left on in the room during the performance, and the machinery buzzed distractingly in conflict with our soft-spoken performer. Her vocal quality was head-dominant, so I really struggled to follow her text against the industrial drone right behind me. I found my attention waning in the absence of a popping presence.

It also seemed like our performer was struggling to remember her lines at a few points along the way, but she did manage to keep the train on the tracks for the duration of the show. (Perhaps a few more reps with this new script will help everything drop into effortlessness.)

I wish my experience had been different at this show and that I’d planned to arrive a little earlier to land a front row seat. The first 3-4 rows did give this performance a standing ovation, and it seems that Afeni made a real impact for those attendees in closer proximity.

All said and done, I am heartened to see majority-white audiences respond enthusiastically to a Black performer telling an unapologetic story about this specific Black experience. It is important (now more than ever) that everyone takes some time to support Black art - and Black performers - at the Fringe. (And beyond).

A stunning performance by Onika Henry who served as a talented medium for the powerful narrative captured in this densely packed, emotionally charged and inspirational monologue.

Keep watch for this piece and performer in future Fringes.

Loved this show. The story teller was powerful in her display of emotion during the show. The story of a powerful black women told by a powerful black women was inspiring and should not be missed. Would see this over and over and I learned so much about Afeni. It was not overpowered by 2pac, in fact they are not even mentioned until the very end of the show.

Afeni tells you the story of a mother that was more than just a mother to someone famous. It gives light to the incredible story of Afeni and her time with the Black Panthers.

Just saw Afeni and wow — phenomenal from start to finish! Onika Henry commanded the stage with raw emotion and strength, telling the powerful story of Afeni fight against unjust charges unjust treatment of a Black Panthers. Truly moving and unforgettable. People need to like run to see the show — don’t think about it, just go. Powerful, moving, a definite Fringe hit!

More Than Her Son

What an incredibly important, significant, and powerful story to tell. Afeni, written by Adam Bailey, is an incredible single-person retelling of Afeni Shakur’s early life and trial as a Black Panther, performed by Onika Henry. Of course, she is Tupac Shakur’s, however her significance as an activist and freedom fighter extends far beyond her son’s own life. Using a simplistic set of a single black chair, the weight and impact Afeni’s life and struggles had on the progression of social justice is left to breathe and way upon the audience, making it (in my eyes) the perfect set. The simplicity of the entire show provides the same effect, utilizing a single actress in a perfect, efficient manner, never bloating or watering down the events of Shakur’s life. Empowerment and action is at the core of Bailey’s script, calling everyone to arms against the oppression we face and the injustices being committed every single day. Of the shows at Fringe, I imagine this is one of the more serious, and heavy productions, so if that is what you seek, I would highly recommend Afeni.