Josephine and I

Description

Josephine Baker: captivating performer, political activist and international icon, who lived from 1906 to 1975. From the ragtime rhythms of St Louis and the intoxicating sounds of 1920s Paris, to present-day London, Josephine and I intertwines the story of a modern-day girl with that of one of the greatest, yet largely forgotten, stars of the twentieth century. Cush Jumbo stars in the premiere of her debut play, which centres on the legendary American entertainer and her impact on a contemporary young woman. Live music combines with dance to bring to life the contemporary legacy of a woman Ernest Hemingway described as "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw, and ever will."

Cush Jumbo was nominated for an Olivier award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the all-female Julius Caesar at the Donmar Warehouse, London. She co-wrote the musical Rebels and Retail, a shortlisted entrant in the Perfect Pitch West End Showcase 2008. Cush Jumbo is the co-author of 101 Dance Ideas for 5-11 Year Olds (A&C Black, 2010).

An exhilarating whizz through the star's life . . . From the ingenious trickery of its opening scene . . . to its half-triumphant, half-elegiac ending, Cush Jumbo's solo show, based on the life of Josephine Baker, effervesces with energy and charm . . . by turns funny, touching and thought-provoking. -- Jane Shilling * Telegraph * Ingenious ... this multi-layered structure of Jumbo playing a character who plays a character - becomes revealing ... a sparkling show with a light touch and a big reach. -- Sarah Hemming * Financial Times * Tour de force is a fancy phrase that shouldn't be used lightly. Sometimes, though, you just have to go nuclear with your nouns - such as when describing this triumphant one-woman show, written and performed by Cush Jumbo. -- Dominic Maxwell * The Times * An exploration of the difference a black woman can make - now as well as then - and, incidentally, a celebration of the power of theatre to tell the human story ... sensational ... Shocks, surprises and political points are deftly popped in among the laughter and the glitz. -- Heather Neill * Stage * A dazzling tour de force by this truly brilliant performer ... Separately, the two strands reflect the lives of two particular individuals; intertwined, they achieve a universal resonance ... Entertaining, poetic, political, this is a tremendous production. -- Clare Brennan * Observer * A short show that, in the best possible sense, leaves you longing for more: more knowledge of its fascinating muse, Josephine Baker; more great parts for its jaw-droppingly talented author and star, Cush Jumbo. but also more time to discuss afterwards the serious points it raises about race and gender, today and in Baker's lifetime ... a brave, exhilarating 100 minutes that redefine Josephine as less flapper, more rights-fighter, and pose important questions about her legacy. -- Patricia Nichol * The Sunday Times * Sympathy, charm and panache ... Josephine and I grows increasingly engrossing and trenchant as Jumbo interweaves apparently autobiographical anecdotes about her own career in the entertainment industry. -- Kate Bassett * Independent on Sunday *