Tambo & Bones, first performed in 2022, is a deliberately provocative play by Dave Harris, currently performing at Royal & Derngate, one of the co-creating theatres of this touring version. It is a powerful piece created in three acts that does not shy away from controversy and offence. However, does that all culminate in a piece of theatre worth your attention?
Our opening sees Tambo and Bones, two black entertainers, named in history from names inspired by their accompanying instruments (here the tambourine and bone castanets) tasked with entertaining a white audience in the Minstrel show they find themselves involved in. Following their discovery, from a moment of audience observation, that everything is not what it seems, Tambo and Bones embark on a crusade of fighting back at history that has seen them trodden down.
Writer Harris doesn't mince his words in describing the power whites have held over blacks for centuries. Without question, moments are deliberately uncomfortable for a predominantly white audience (life in theatre never changes, it seems). However, for all its often sledgehammer approach to driving home its narrative, Harris still manages to entertain for the most part.
It helps that it is inventive, bringing fresh ideas to each act while progressing the story. Also, two excellent performances by the lead pair of Tambo and Bones are helpful. Clifford Samuel, as Tambo, and Daniel Ward, as Bones, are incredibly versatile performers, moving from the Minstrel, silent comedy beginning to the inspired rap second sequence; their skills and repartee make the show the success it is.
It does drag at times, though, it has to be said, with the opening act taking a little too long to play out. In contrast, the third act struggles to find its footing despite some superb physical performances from Jaron Lammens and Dru Cripps until its powerful and inspiring ending, where Harris very much turns all the tables on what has happened in the show and in history to that point. With some pruning of the opening scene, this would have had more impact as a production dispensing of the interval.
Director Matthew Xia keeps everything moving and works well with his cast to create a fine
double-act repartee from the performers. Set-wise, it is a relatively simple show. However, the opening act is a visual cartoon feast, and the second act is a spectacular lighting affair, which might sometimes be uncomfortable for some audience members.
Overall, Tambo & Bones is a worthy piece of theatre, powerful and challenging as it is often good to see. However, it comes with a considerable list of trigger warnings, which, despite being an important theme, might make it not for everyone. If you can get past that, it's an excellent piece of theatre, with inventive ideas and two superb performances.
Strong and thought-provoking, but still with the ability to entertain.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Tuesday, 11th March 2025, at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.
Tambo & Bones is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Saturday, 15th March 2025.
Tambo & Bones is and Actors Touring Company, Stratford East and Royal & Derngate Co-Production in association with Belgrade Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman
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