When one goes to the theater, one expects to be entertained. But when a theatrical production enlightens and educates as well, you feel privileged to have experienced it. That is what happened to me this weekend when I went to see “The Cambria.” The play, which is written by Donal O’Kelly, starring O’Kelly and Sorcha Fox, delivers a vivid telling of the story of escaped slave Frederick Douglass’ journey on a ship called the Cambria, which took him from America and a life of slavery to Ireland and an experience of being free, respected and treated like a human being. This journey occurred in 1845.
O’Kelly and Fox play several characters and even provide the sound effects of a sea voyage as they share the penetrating story of Douglass’ journey. There are so many things that the story shares that are interesting to find out. First, we learn that Douglass was the only Black man with a first-class ticket and so, of course, was noticed immediately. The attention he received came from both people who were just surprised to see a Black man staying in the privileged area and from a prejudiced man who felt that there is an order and that a Black man with white passengers put things out of order. One of the possessions Douglass had on the ship was his autobiography, a book that had him hunted by whites. Therefore, he had two factors against him: He was an escaped slave and he had written a book revealing the horrors of slavery, which made slaveholders angry. He was a wanted man with a price on his head. He was also a known and respected orator.
On the ship, he attempts to hide his identity for his own safety. This story shows the inner strength of this man and the determination he had despite the odds he faced in slavery and even as he escaped to a new land. If you want to know more, you need to make it your business to go and see this show, which is playing at the Donaghy Theater at the Irish Arts Center, located at 553 West 51st Street, between 10th and 11th avenues. The Irish Arts Center, in association with Classical Theatre of Harlem, is presenting something called “CAMBRIA/DOUGLASS”–which actually includes two shows in repertory together, which means that they play at the same venue on the same day, just different times.
Watching O’Kelly perform the multiple roles his production calls for was definitely marvelous. Although he is clearly white, when he performs Frederick Douglass, you are not focused on the color of his skin, but on the depth of his performance. There is a moment at the end of the production, when one realizes why O’Kelly’s performance of Douglass is so acceptable and brilliant, as he quotes Douglass and says, “People here in Ireland measure and esteem men according to their moral and intellectual worth, and not according to the color of their skin.” This lack of prejudice is obviously a part of this playwright/actor’s inner being.
“The Cambria” is running through October 25. If you want to get more information on this production or see all that the Irish Arts Center has to offer, visit its website at www.irishartscenter.org.