Reviewer: Megan Hyland
Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Over the course of the next five days, The Contact Theatre will be home to Mika Onyx Johnson’s debut show, Pink Lemonade. And while it may only be showing in Manchester for a short period of time, it is a must-see. While at first glance this may appear to be a series of tongue-in-cheek tales of strained sexual relationships combined with lemons falling from the sky, it is far more than that. Powerful, clever, and personal, it is an exploration of Johnson’s experiences as a black trans person in Britain and what that has meant for their relationships with others and with themself.
As a performer, Johnson is outstanding. But as a writer, they are truly gifted. To translate their experiences into one medium would be talent enough, but to express themselves so fully through their own spoken word, poetry and lyrics is exceptional. They are able to switch so effortlessly between beautiful, lyrical language and quick, dirty wit, which is no easy feat. They allow us to feel their hurt through the poetry that they pour into every line, before pulling us back with their cheeky grin. It is their lyrics, however, that deserve special attention. They’re quick; clever; and emotive, and deliver perhaps the most powerful messages of the piece.
All things considered, it’s not hard to see why Pink Lemonade is currently in development for TV – nor why it was such a success at Edinburgh Fringe 2019.
“Pink Lemonade encourages you to get comfortable with being uncomfortable”
Because in this 60-minute piece, not only has Johnson effortlessly combined three written mediums, they have also mastered even the most difficult aspects of performance. For despite being the sole performer, they captivate and hold your attention throughout, creating characters around them that feel so real you can hardly believe they’re performing alone. Surrounded by velvet pink set pieces, Johnson commands the stage, allowing it to take the shape of what they want us to see almost immediately. This simplistic set design allows Johnson to be the focus and to tell their story. It places them in no boxes and allows them to define the world around them rather than the other way around.
In this space, Johnson takes the time to explore themselves fully with us. Without the presence of boxes and labels, they do not consider themselves as “just” a trans person or “just” a black person, as they cannot separate one aspect of their identity from another. Instead, they consider how their identity as a black trans person in Britain has been received; interpreted; and questioned.
It is this intersectionality that is so rare, powerful, and necessary for the future of entertainment. And while Johnson questions during the piece whether discussions around gender, sexuality, and identity are inaccessible and elitist, you need look no further for an accessible, personal, and honest exploration of all three. Pink Lemonade encourages you to get comfortable with being uncomfortable – to embrace yourself and others, but also to question how you can do better.
“Go out and get your tickets while you still can. Mika Onyx Johnson is a phenomenal performer and writer”
If I could say one disadvantageous thing of Pink Lemonade, it would be that it deserved more. While Contact is a fantastic venue, the space was scarcely populated. Pink Lemonade is a piece that deserves energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, and unfortunately, it did not receive that tonight. A bigger audience and enthusiastic atmosphere would have given it a boost, and it is a shame that Johnson did not get to experience the reception that their masterpiece deserved, especially upon its 2021 revival.
This is why I implore you to go out and get your tickets while you still can. Mika Onyx Johnson is a phenomenal performer and writer, and undoubtedly a rising star. I know I for one will be looking out for them on our screens and stages in the future.
-Megan Hyland
Pink Lemonade runs at Contact until Saturday 27 November.