Press

My play, Whose Blood, is featured in a new book Challenging History in the Museum: International Perspectives.  The play is discussed, along with George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum (not bad company) in the Chapter “Making Them Laugh: Making Them Cry: Theatre’s Role in Challenging History. ”  In the chapter, the lovely Judith Bryan credits the play with an elegance and depth that I can only hope are actually there.

Whose Blood was recently featured in the Wellcome Trust History magazine.  “What would you do for love?  Alex Burger’s new play, which premiered in London in March 2011, explores this question (and much more) in the medically and socially charged atmosphere of Britain in the early 1830s.”  Wellcome Trust: Whose Blood Review

Whose Blood was recently highlighted in a write up by A.R.T/Harvwardwood Alumni Lab Grants Fund.  The A.R.T. Fund were one of the first people to support the production in its development stages in early 2010.

Afridiziak Review  ★★★★:  “Bank Cider’s production of Alex Burger’s award winning play Whose Blood, succeeds in emitting the feeling of the hopelessness and defeat that came with sickness and often the subsequent death of operating in the 19th century. . . . an experience that leaves a lasting and memorable presence.”

An interview with Karena Johnson, Whose Blood‘s director.

Director Karena Johnson and I interviewed on the BBC for my new play Whose Blood

Time Out says ★★    Readers say ★★★★

Time Out (Andrzej Lukowski):  “Full of interesting titbits about medicine of the day (including the body-snatching exploits of the ‘resurrectionists’) and the experiences of African immigrants in Victorian London, Burger would appear to know his stuff.  But convincing dialogue and character eldue him. . . . Much of what happens in ‘Whose Blood’ is reported not enacted.”

Reader Review:  “Something that struck me about this play is that it is unique to anything else on the London stage at the moment.  Efua tells us what happens in a way not dissimilar to how tales and fables are told in a lot of African culture. She’s a storyteller and plays her heart out, inviting the audience to be part of the story. Perhaps Andrzej is not familiar with African theatre.”

Londonist Review “Bankcider [Productions] pack[s] a lot into just over an hour. Alex Burger’s script, Karena Johnson’s direction and the excellent performances of the cast elevate Whose Blood beyond [the ordinary]. Whose Blood is a moving, touching, thought-provoking piece of theatre.”

Tracey Daniel on Whose Blood ★★★★ “Candice Onyeama’s portrayal of Efua is hauntingly beautiful. The role is played with such intensity that you have no choice but to be drawn into her world, walking step by step with her as she makes life-changing decisions.”

Alex won the 2010 Harvardwood One-Act Play Competition for his play 3/5