On the surface, Faith Omole’s play is a thriller. After her father’s death, Peace (Tiwa Lade) unexpectedly discovers that she has a half-brother in Nigeria. Bolu arrives in England, ready to meet his long lost sister, and Peace is full of questions: What will he be like? And most of all – why did her father never mention he existed? What follows is a slick, if slightly melodramatic revelation of who this stranger actually is. But, underneath all the drama, the script delves into identity and complicated family relationships with flair.
The skill of Omole’s play is that it keeps us guessing. Bolu – zestfully played by Theo Ogundipe has an air of secrecy around him. When he’s alone, he goes through the drawers to find pictures to piece together his sister’s life. He stares at Peace, desperate to understand why she has no connection to her homeland in Nigeria. But Peace’s mother, Favour (Rakie Ayola) will do anything to stop her getting close to him. She moves into the home she shares with her boyfriend, Roy and pollutes the air with her presence. Their grief informs it all – Peace’s father’s voice is there, throughout everything. But slowly Peace realises she might not have known the man she grew up with at all.
The production directed by Rebekah Murrell has an eerie feel. In between scenes, the lights twitch and music grows into blaring, peculiar noise. The home Peace and Roy live in, at first glance seems bog standard. Magnets pin pictures and important letters on to the fridge. Cushions decorate the sofas neatly. But, the ceiling has a sinister crack straight through it. Is everything they know about to break?
The scenes between Peace and her doting boyfriend Roy (Gabriel Akuwudike) fizz. Akuwudike makes him so kind-hearted, it is almost impossible not to fall for his charms. Omole writes conversation so genuine it feels like we’re peering nosily into their home. The final shock might be one step too far and the story is slightly farcical, but the characters shine brightly. This is Peace’s journey to finding out the truth – and we are right there with her, eager to sew together the threads.
• At Bush theatre, London, until 27 July
