Clybourne Park debuted in February 2010 and was a roaring success and a satirical gem when the Royal Court brought it to London in August. Which is why they're re-mounting it for a season at the Wyndham's Theatre between January and May this year.
Just because the reviews are good doesn't necessarily mean that you'll enjoy it, so here's a brief synopsis so you'll know if it's the kind of thing you'll find funny, poiniant, a bit revealing and a bit sad: In 1959 Russ and Bev are selling their house, in the white, middle class suburb of Clybourne Park at a knock down price because their son committed suicide in it – and the buyers of their property are black, which causes all sorts of problems in the minds of their neighbours and community. The second act is set in 2009, in the same house, when the reverse is happening: a black couple are moving out, selling to a white couple who are moving in as the area becomes gentrified.
As well as being about race relations and housing codes, the play is about about aspirations and families, and while the story may sound heavy, the dialogue is witty, it's well staged, and very well performed. Last year it was touted in the
press as revealing the prejudices that still flicker within outwardly liberal people, and it's undoubtedly going to be talked about in the press again this year. So see it so you can form your own option about it.
