Tia-Renee Mullings's coming-of-age play A to B at Soho theatre follows Brianna and Armani as they prepare for a blind date that could change their lives. Told through two overlapping monologues, the play captures the nerves, hope, and anticipation of getting ready for a romantic encounter. Brianna (Zakiyyah Dean) and Armani (Sheyi Cole) are set up by mutual friends, armed only with a photo of their prospective partner.
Relentless Mishaps Undermine Momentum
For Brianna and Armani, nothing goes to plan. Brianna's younger sisters steal and destroy her carefully chosen outfit, and an encounter with water guns ruins her hair. Armani misses his barber appointment and ends up with a terrible trim. While these mishaps are relatable in today's dating app culture, the relentless string of bad luck becomes predictable over the 80-minute runtime, making the play feel like it's running in circles.
Glimmers of Deeper Emotion
Keeping up appearances is armour for both characters, but audiences long for deeper insight. Occasionally, glimpses of vulnerability emerge: Dean reveals Brianna as someone eager to be loved, while Cole's Armani hopes his date will see beyond his imperfect image. These moments hint at the emotional core beneath the surface.
Lyrical Storytelling and South London Textures
Directed by Ewa Dina, the play uses time-stamps on a screen to mark the passing of the day. Dean and Cole take turns narrating, with Mullings's script blending lyrical spoken-word passages and rhythmic exchanges. The writing pulses with the textures of south London life, painting British Jamaican culture in vibrant shades. Mullings's words serve as an ode to budding romance, but the story feels incomplete, needing more substance to fully satisfy. A to B runs at Soho theatre until 3 July.
