By Graham Hiley. Image: Mark Senior
Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England. More specifically, Floella Benjamin’s Coming to Southampton. Again!
Southampton was the young Floella’s first sight of England when she arrived here from Trinidad on the Marques de Comillas on September 2, 1960 – aged just 10.
The now Baroness of Beckenham returned to the city for the official launch of the stage version of her hugely popular book Coming to England.
This hugely enjoyable and inspiring musical has been playing to packed houses since its opening in Swansea a month ago.
Now it has come home to MAST Mayflower Studios who co-produced the show. That made it a fitting venue for the press launch night, particularly given the television star’s connection to the city.
Still stunning at 75, Dame Floella Benjamin joined the cast on stage for the curtain call telling the cheering crowd: “I love Southampton. It was my first glimpse of England so I have always had a soft spot for the city.”
It seems strange that anyone would swap the sun-kissed beaches and warm welcome of Trinidad for the cold weather and even more frosty reception in England – but that was the dream sold to the Windrush Generation.
They were encouraged to help rebuild Britain after the war. Thousands left their homes and even their families to answer the call. First Floella’s father went, then her “Marmie” with two of her five siblings.
The four remaining children were left in abusive homes with strangers until finally they were sent for. Far from being over, the suffering simply took on a new and twisted face in the shape of racism, hostility and even violence.
That is essentially the story of Coming to England, which sounds like it should be a grim read and a tough watch. It is neither.
The book has become a classic studied in schools; the stage version absolutely deserves to follow suit.
It does not smack you in the face; instead it gently washes over you like the warm waters of the island paradise Floella once called home.
The story is told with grace and humour, the young Floella beautifully portrayed by Julene Robinson who showed no nerves performing in front of the real-life version of her character.
She sparked a real range of emotions in the audience who shared her suffering, aching for the 10-year-old who could not understand why she was being told to go home when she lived just round the corner.
At a very early age, Floella decided the best defence against the hateful words spat in her face was a smile which was both her armour and disarming to those who could not see past the colour of her skin.
Had they done so, they would have seen a charming and hugely talented girl who would go on to become the first black female presenter of Play School as well as an actor, singer, author, a Dame – and a wife for 55 years to Keith who joined her on stage.
She told the audience she still dreams of diversity nirvana and has real hope for the future thanks to the number of youngsters who have engaged with her book – and now the musical which is a must-see for adults and children alike.
Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England plays the MAST Mayflower Studios until October 26. Tickets available here.
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