Review: Josephine

Tymesha Harris brings the story of Josephine Baker to life with precision

★★★★
theatre review (adelaide) | Read in About 1 minute
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Josephine
Published 16 Feb 2020

It’s no easy feat telling the tale of Josephine Baker – a superstar, immortalised as one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century; a French resistance agent; and a civil rights activist who captivated the entire globe. But Tymisha Harris’ homage to the French icon is breathtaking.

Harris glides in glittery gowns across the stage moving from theatre to cabaret and diving into burlesque. Her journey begins with the early life of a Josephine from St Louis, Missouri, who is scouted by a French man and moves to the streets of Paris where fame and fortune await.

There’s a subtle undercurrent of the abhorrent racism Josephine was subjected to throughout her career. She thrived in spite of these hardships and Harris is magnetic in portraying both this sadness and her omnipotence as a sex icon.

Despite being set in the early-mid 1900s, this critically acclaimed off-Broadway biographical musical is disconcertingly relevant now. It’s a reminder of blatant and oppressive prejudices that continue to manifest differently in contemporary contexts. But mostly, it’s a reminder of the success of a woman who defied all odds to conquer the world.