Labels | The Blue Room until Sat 6 Feb |★ ★ ★ ★
Joe comes onto the stage carrying a suitcase. This becomes a lectern, a seat and the holder of props for his exploration of how labels have impacted on his life. He begins by quoting people in power throughout the world who have spread poisonous ideologies about people who are different.
Wearing a black t-shirt, he pastes labels on himself as a young boy living in rural England whose ancestors have migrated from India via Uganda. He also distributes labels to the audience as he tries to work out whether labels are used as a form of security so people can belong to certain groups.
Given the amount of bullying he endured as a child, he looks at the more sinister ramifications of labels. His life story has great impact when the bullying continues into downright racism and even violence in his young adult years.
The irony is that the taunts are misplaced and he extends his hypothesis to the labels given to many groups of people including those trying to flee their country of origin. As he litters the floor with stickers, posters and paper planes, Joe gives his audience plenty to think about.
Catch Labels tonight and Saturday at The Blue Room at 7.30pm.
Lezly Herbert, photographer: Anna Bruce
