The Mountaintop at Leicester Curve Theatre is an impressive revival of Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning play, blending the everyday with the divine in a way that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. The play imagines the final hours of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, unfolding in his motel room the night before his assassination. While I wouldn’t typically seek out this kind of drama, I’m genuinely glad to have experienced it — the production was passionate, educational, and left me reflecting on King’s immense legacy.
The play opens in a pretty standard looking motel room, which, after thumbing through the programme is actually a meticulous recreation of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Ray Strasser-King’s portrayal of Dr. King is nothing short of magnetic. He brings depth to a man often seen as other worldly, reminding us that even our heroes are human, with flaws and vulnerabilities. Opposite him, Justina Kehinde’s Camae delivers an equally powerful performance, initially playing the part of a sassy, flirtatious motel maid before revealing her true role as a guardian angel sent to prepare King for his death.
Where The Mountaintop really shines is in its delicate balance between naturalism and surrealism. The first half of the play, with its conversational dialogue and quiet reflections, feels almost mundane, and honestly I didn’t connect massively with this. However, just before I was convinced the play was 90 minutes of chit-chat and exposition — the rug is pulled out from under you and the plot shifts into a more metaphysical realm. This sudden shift was both surprising and engaging, I found the surrealism far more intriguing, like we as an audience could really see under the surface of this legendary speaker.
For me, this production succeeded most as an educational tool. I walked into the theatre knowing shockingly little about the nuances of King, and the show left me feeling almost ashamed that I didn’t know enough. At the same time, the heavy reliance on biographical details in the early part of the play felt a bit like a history lesson — one that I struggled to keep up with at times. The second half, where the focus shifted to themes of mortality and legacy, was far more compelling and emotional.
The set design, while not visually groundbreaking is steeped in historical accuracy, down to the lampshade and fabric patterns. Rain, snow, flower petals, feathers, and popcorn all fall from the sky at different moments of the show — though I’m not entirely sure why, as the language in the script painted a vivid enough picture. The lighting and sound served their purpose in this production, but did little to further the storytelling or explore character emotions, although this did allow the actors’ performances to take centre stage.
Without a doubt, the highlight of this production is the fabulous performances. Both Strasser-King and Kehinde commanded the stage with remarkable chemistry, and their delivery of the play’s final moments was truly haunting and intense. This is a play where the acting is the heart and soul, and the Curve’s cast delivers in every scene.
While this isn’t necessarily a play I’d actively seek out, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see it. The Mountaintop is a poignant reminder that the theatre has the power to, not only entertain, but to educate and inspire. It may not be a feel-good night at the theatre, but it is one that will leave you thinking — and perhaps, like me, doing a thorough Wikipedia search on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. as soon as you leave.
If you’re interested in learning more about King’s legacy or wish to enjoy a well-acted drama, I’d recommend catching The Mountaintop before it ends its run at Leicester Curve on October 5th, 2024.
