An exhilarating whizz through the star's life . . . From the ingenious trickery of its opening scene . . . to its half-triumphant, half-elegiac ending, Cush Jumbo's solo show, based on the life of Josephine Baker, effervesces with energy and charm . . . by turns funny, touching and thought-provoking. -- Jane Shilling * Telegraph *
Ingenious ... this multi-layered structure of Jumbo playing a character who plays a character - becomes revealing ... a sparkling show with a light touch and a big reach. -- Sarah Hemming * Financial Times *
Tour de force is a fancy phrase that shouldn't be used lightly. Sometimes, though, you just have to go nuclear with your nouns - such as when describing this triumphant one-woman show, written and performed by Cush Jumbo. -- Dominic Maxwell * The Times *
An exploration of the difference a black woman can make - now as well as then - and, incidentally, a celebration of the power of theatre to tell the human story ... sensational ... Shocks, surprises and political points are deftly popped in among the laughter and the glitz. -- Heather Neill * Stage *
A dazzling tour de force by this truly brilliant performer ... Separately, the two strands reflect the lives of two particular individuals; intertwined, they achieve a universal resonance ... Entertaining, poetic, political, this is a tremendous production. -- Clare Brennan * Observer *
A short show that, in the best possible sense, leaves you longing for more: more knowledge of its fascinating muse, Josephine Baker; more great parts for its jaw-droppingly talented author and star, Cush Jumbo. but also more time to discuss afterwards the serious points it raises about race and gender, today and in Baker's lifetime ... a brave, exhilarating 100 minutes that redefine Josephine as less flapper, more rights-fighter, and pose important questions about her legacy. -- Patricia Nichol * The Sunday Times *
Sympathy, charm and panache ... Josephine and I grows increasingly engrossing and trenchant as Jumbo interweaves apparently autobiographical anecdotes about her own career in the entertainment industry. -- Kate Bassett * Independent on Sunday *
