Foxes by Dexter Flanders - ★★★★☆

Michael Fatogun and Anyebe Godwin in Foxes at Theatre503, photo credit: Adiam Yemane

Set in North London, Foxes tells the story of  Daniel and his family. His mum, young sister, pregnant (Muslim) girlfriend and his best friend/“brother” Leon.

The play carefully and beautifully hones in on the difficulties that surface when masculinity and homosexuality collide in London’s (Christian) Caribbean Community. 

Foxes was not only fantastic, it was important and gentle. The story was told without missing a beat or removing the essence of what this complexity literally looks like for boys like Daniel and Leon who aren’t “camp” (as described in the performance) but are gay. For boys who do not fit the stereotypes and end up living in fear, “hiding in the shadows operating in the night like foxes”. 

The use of music and dance was well suited to this play, the powerful script echoed this by making use of relevant slang and pop cultural reference to truly make this a piece in which Londoners could relate to and ultimately connect with.  

Though the ending seemed to be a little repetitive and confusing, in the final scene we see a display of risk and reward. Covering other themes such as, trauma, faith, identity, and love. Foxes is an incredible piece, and absolute worth the watch as you leave seeing a piece of yourself in the story. 

Catch Foxes at Theatre Peckham on 05 and 06 November.