There is nothing. A white person. Can say to a black person. About Race . . . Race. Is the most incendiary topic in our history. And the moment it comes out, you cannot close the lid on that box. Sparks fly when three lawyers and a defendant clash over the issue of race and the American judicial system. As they prepare for a court case, they must face the fundamental questions that everyone fears to ask. What is race? What is guilt? What happens when the crimes of the past collide with the transgressions of the present? ...
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There is nothing. A white person. Can say to a black person. About Race . . . Race. Is the most incendiary topic in our history. And the moment it comes out, you cannot close the lid on that box. Sparks fly when three lawyers and a defendant clash over the issue of race and the American judicial system. As they prepare for a court case, they must face the fundamental questions that everyone fears to ask. What is race? What is guilt? What happens when the crimes of the past collide with the transgressions of the present? Drawing on one of the most highly-charged issues of American history, David Mamet forces us to confront deep-seated prejudices and barely-healed wounds in this unflinching examination of the lies we tell ourselves and the truths we unwillingly reveal to others. Race was first seen in New York at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on December 6, 2009, directed by David Mamet. It receives its UK premiere at the Hampstead Theatre on 23 May 2013.
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Quite possibly, Mamet?s greatest work to date. It is at least the equal of Glengarry Glen Ross, Edmond, and American Buffalo, if not better.
Mamet walks the tightrope of race in America, questioning and arguing nearly every assumption and stereotype of the past 50 years on race relations. The plot involves an older white man, accused of raping an African American woman. The two lawyers considering taking the case ? one black and one white, with a black woman as their new assistant. This four-person cast, with only three together at any one time, provides a fairly amazing multitude of conversations on the case in particular, and race in general. Nearly every aspect of the topic is brought up in some way, truly plumbing the angst, rage, and confusion of the subject matter in a very short period of time (only 64 pages).
While I would have liked to see the last scene go on a little longer, maybe another 15 or 20 pages, this work is shocking, thought-provoking, and utterly brilliant.
