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(L to R) Michael Price; Laura Sadler, Alex Walkinshaw; Mohammed George

Photography by Josh Raikes

Director: Indhu Rubasingham, Designer: Ultz, Lighting Design: Ultz and Marion Mahon, Sound Designer: Paul Arditti

Hot on the heels of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, Roy Williams brings to the Jerwood New Playwrights season at the Royal Court a razor-sharp new play about the ambivalence and dilemmas of inter-racial friendship among young people living on a London estateIn this brilliant study of the difficulties which underlie such friendships, Williamss point is that, inside every white young man who is fascinated by black street cred, there is a racist waiting to scream the unsayable n wordThe play is vigorously directed by Indhu Rubasingham and has a strikingly original playground design by Ultz.

Morning Star 11-3-99

With racism finally out in the open, Roy Williamss play acquires a pungent timeliness. It deals, however, not with institutions but with individuals. And what it says, with vivid theatricality, is that divisions between black and white are confused by stock notions of hard and soft behaviour which start in childhood and continue into adult lifeWilliams offers no solutions but he dramatises the problem with mordent accuracy. Indhu Rubasinghams excellent production is also finely acted.

The Guardian 1-3-99

Williams wonderfully foul-mouthed, humane and humorous Royal Court debut has been well worth waiting for.

The Stage 11-3-99

With impeccable timing, Roy Williamss short, sharp new play takes us to the heart of one particular set of race relations. Indhu Rubasinghams fast-moving production is set in a kind of concrete boxing ring that serves as a kind of metaphor for the struggle of grim lives. The play does not pretend to have the answers, but it shows that the situation cannot be understood in simple terms of black and white.

Sunday Times 28-2-99