★★★★☆

It has taken over a decade for this show to reach British shores. It premiered on Broadway in 2015, closing a few months later in 2016. An earlier production had opened in San Diego in 2012. I had heard about it back when the San Diego production opened and was curious about it. So I jumped at the opportunity to see int in London (especially as the small Charing Cross Theatre is one of my favourite venues).

Inspired by the childhood of, and staring, George Takei, this musical tells the story of the Japanese camps that were established in America during the 1940s. Following Pearl Harbour, Japanese-Americans were viewed as potential threats and were evicted from their homes and taken to live in camps. Their lives were uprooted and they lived in harsh conditions until the camps were dissolved in early 1945.

The show opens in 2001 at a 60th anniversary event of the Pearl Harbour attack. We see Sam, a WWII veteran (played by George Takei) receiving news that his sister, whom he has lost contact with, has died. He is angry and thinks back of the last 60 years. The ghost of his sister appears and attempts to make peace with him.

The action then moves back to 1941 and we see young Sam (played by Telly Leung, reprising his Broadway role), a high school student with dreams of a great future such as college, and maybe even political office. We see the clash between him and his grandfather (played by George Takei) as a clash of culture between the Japan and America with the older generation who immigrated to the country and the younger generation who were born there.

Although the story moves on to tell of the internment camps, this clash of cultures and generations with different ideas and goals is at the heart of the story.

George Takei and Telly Leung both shine in their respective roles. It is clear that for the former this is a very personal piece and one can’t help but admire his stamina and performance at the age of 85. Telly Leung is also clearly invested in this role – having been involved since early readings in New York in 2010. Is he convincing as a high school student? Despite being in his early 40s he actually is. He perfectly portrays the teenager with his whole life ahead of him, almost giddy at the possibilities this brings. At the same time he is able to show us how a person’s life can change so quickly as his character is thrust into a harsh situation with those dreams potentially snatched from him.

Aynrand Ferrer plays Kei, Sam’s sister. As his older sister she has raised him following the death of their mother, and the care and concern she has for him is obvious. Her number ‘Higher’ was a standout moment.

Whilst in the camp Sam falls in love with American nurse, Hannah, played expertly by Megan Gardiner. Interracial relationships were not accepted in many parts of the US at this time, and especially not one between a Japanese American and an American. Megan Gardiner and Telly Leung share a lovely duet together where they wish for a world where they could be together (‘With You’).

The show, directed and choreographed by Tara Overfilled Wilkinson, makes use of the traverse stage layout at the Charing Cross Theatre (unique in that it can be switched between traverse and traditional proscenium arch – though I’ve only seen traverse productions there). This set up makes you feel close and almost part of the action. The set (designed by Mayou Trikerioti) is simple with wooden structures on both sides, representing their homes and the subsequent huts in the camp. One side also contained trees which transformed into fence-like structures in the camps.

The cast are fantastic and really do carry the show. In addition to those mentioned, the cast consists of Masashi Fujimoto, Mark Anderson, Iverson Yabut, Patrick Munday, Troy Abesamis, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Lisa Koide, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Soloman, and Joy Tan.

I have waited a long time to see this show and it didn’t really disappoint. It was sad to see it not sold out when I went as it deserves a greater audience. It just goes to show that you don’t need to go to the big, brash theatres to see some truly wonderful shows. Although I think that actually this was the perfect venue for Allegiance simply because it allowed us to be drawn into the production and the lives and journeys of the characters.

I also believe that this is an important piece of work, simply because it explores and opens up an often forgotten part of American history. When the show first premiered in 2012 (following readings and workshops in 2009, 2010, and 2011) it brought the Japanese camps into the public awareness. As the cliche goes, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Allegiance is playing at the Charing Cross Theatre until 8 April 2023

Photos © Tristram Kenton