Oxford Playhouse labels this production as a “narrated musical”, but it is SO much more than that. We’re welcomed by DJ Ken Dread, who has flashing shoes, sequinned waistcoat and dreads practically down to his ankles. Within minutes, I knew this was going to be a completely different experience to what I had originally thought. The JA Reggae Band opened with some seamless Jamaican melodies before stand up comic and narrator of the show, John Simmit (fun fact - he’s also Dipsy from Teletubbies, I found after Googling him) walked on stage and got things going.
Rush is presented as a “Joyous Jamaican Journey” and I can’t fault that subtitle. From start to finish, I was beaming, bopping my head, tapping my feet and clapping along. It’s not just the music, it’s the words that John speaks in between. Referencing history from the time of Christopher Columbus to present day, the audience is whisked on a journey of struggle and success.
John reminds us on many occasions that this show is a party and a history lesson, and it made me wonder - if history was taught in this style at school, I probably would have paid more attention! More importantly, John makes an important announcement in the first half; “there’s no black history, or white history, just history. It’s all shared”. This proved all important considering the majority of the audience was white, and over a certain age - or as John likes to call them, “vintage”.
I have debated since seeing this show how I feel about a sold out audience mainly being white, and I guess my conclusion is that they are the ones that need to hear the words and music spoken more than others. Immigrants and children of, like myself, know all too well what it’s like to be subjected to racism and centuries of ignorance. I also had to stop delving too far into the rabbit hole of audience demographics and remind myself that this show was produced to celebrate Jamaica, and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush.
Over two hours, we heard ska - pronounced ska’! - reggae, gospel, rock steady and dancehall. The band played songs everyone knew from My Boy Lollipop to Oh Happy Day. By the time they reached Bob Marley, there were barely any people sitting in their seats, everyone was up dancing and singing along. Though, if you’re expecting this show to be all about Bob, you’ll be sorely disappointed. No Jamaican music experience can leave him out, but there is so much more from this island that you need to hear.
If I was to really critique the show, and I had to struggle to find even a little thing to mention… It would be to put Ollie, the lead guitar and musical director centre stage. That man is talented. He had two incredible solos and I couldn’t believe he was to the side of the stage - he should be front and centre! When he played, I froze, got goosebumps and couldn’t take my eyes off him.
It was not lost on the Oxford audience that music was the backdrop to political issues. Rishi, Theresa, Enoch, David - a lot of politicians were hissed at, and laughed at. But at the heart of the journey of Jamaica’s rich history was the songs that came out of the island. Anyone who loves music, will love this celebration and enjoy singing along to The Israelites, Cherry Oh Baby and One Love with a phenomenal live band.
Which reminds me to mention the two singers; Janice and Ika. Wow. Smoothest live vocals I’ve heard for a long time. How they effortlessly weaved from one genre to another, song after song, barely breaking a sweat in a very hot and crowded venue, is something incredible. Ika’s performance of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On was particularly memorable, especially with John’s intimate dance with the lectern (IYKYK).
I dare anyone to try and head out of this production without downloading all the songs they heard onto a playlist to relive the moments from the show - I definitely did, and am still listening to them now.
RUSH has been running for four years, is critically acclaimed, and has toured the whole of the UK. I’ve already convinced friends of mine in South London to see them next month when they head that way, and I can’t wait to welcome them back to Oxford in 2024.