Created by Temi Wilkey
Review by Jack Cuinn
Summerhall – Roundabout: Tickets
Temi! Temi! Temi! The crowd goes wild, hanging off every word, worshipping at the altar of the ascension of the self-proclaimed ‘criminally undercast’ Temi Wilkey.
Main Character Energy, the last show of the day programmed at the iconic Roundabout by Paines Plough, does not disappoint. The play begins with our main character for the evening (and the rest of our mere mortal lives) entering rapturous, deserved applause simply for her fabulous existence.
We begin in July 1992, the birth of our star, our mother, our main character, Temi. The proceedings start as a pleasing of the self, an essential ingredient in creating your own work, masturbation for the self, as Temi declares. The playful, childish spirit of the start of the play continues throughout the evening, which develops into communal healing and celebration of Temi’s inner child as she chases after spotlights, sings her heart out, and revisits her childhood bedroom.
Temi has been a main character all her life; the world just wasn’t letting her be until now. Now Temi claims her place in the spotlight, centre stage, no longer playing the practical role of a doctor, but ready to embark on her career to play Blanche DuBois, Viola, and *one day*, Juliet.
However, the reality of claiming main character energy is also present, with allusion to horrific torrents of abuse thrown across social media towards Francesca Amewudah-Rivers after the casting announcement of Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet. Yet, Temi manages to wield integrity and strength from this harrowing reminder of the racism faced by people of colour in theatre, especially within classical repertory. She showcases her talent for commanding the stage, our ears, and a moving foray of classical monologues.
This is cabaret, karaoke, spoken word, comedy, avant-garde, c*ntemporary theatre, and ultimately, the epitome of the result of self-love and self-championship. Go to witness the development of a philosophy, a lifestyle, energy, and leave strutting across the Summerhall courtyard into an Edinburgh where you, yes YOU, are the MAIN CHARACTER. You won’t be able to take your eyes off her, and if you do, she will know about it…caution be to he that blinks…Main Character Energy is an uplifting, life-affirming celebration of the authentic self.
Review by Jack Cuinn (contact@corrblimey.uk)
