Big White Fog

Genre: Drama
Opened 17 May 2007
Written: by Theodore Ward
Directed: Michael Attenborough
Produced: Almeida
Cast includes: Ayesha Antoine (Caroline), Tony Armatrading (Daniel Rogers), Martin Barron (Patrolman), Aaron Brown (Nathan Piszer), Lenora Crichlow (Claudine), Clint Dyer (Percy Mason), Jenny Jules (Ella), Tunji Kasim (Lester), Al Matthews (Count Strawder), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Wanda), Novella Nelson (Martha Brooks), Susan Salmon (Juanita), Danny Sapani (Victor Mason), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Older Phil/Count Cotton), Gynn Sweet (Bailiff), Tony Turner (Marks/Lieutenant).
Synopsis:Big White Fog is set in Chicago between 1922 and 1933 and follows the journey of members of the Mason family and the pursuit of their own ideological beliefs, as they steer a course through post WW1 racism and the Great Depression. Supported by wife Ella, Vic's loyalty is to Marcus Garvey's separatist Back to Africa campaign, while his brother-in-law Dan is committed to the American Dream, believing that the black community can prosper and succeed within the system.

What the critics had to say.....
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "I doubt if there exists any more enthralling or important play about the struggle of blacks to survive in pre-Second World War America than Big White Fog." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Fine production...It may not be a flawless play, but it offers an exact record of its times and reminds us of the large pool of black acting talent in this country." RHODA KOENIG for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Compelling as history, the play is less satisfying as theatre." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Attenborough's fine cast generate the intensity that justifies the revival, but can't always disguise the play's more dated aspects, among them the belief that Communism offers more hope than Garvey."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Independent
The Times