TheatreINQ Chewing Gum Dreams

Faduma Ali delivers a captivating and emotionally charged performance in her portrayal

of Tracey Gordon in this one-woman show, directed by TheatreiNQ’s Terri Brabon.

Reprising this role after a run of shows in 2023, Ali returns with this dynamic

performance in the city where her acting career began and flourished in the Bridge

Project. The show, written by British actress, filmmaker and poet, Michaela Coel offers a

striking portrayal of a street-wise but vulnerable 14-year-old girl navigating the

complexities of adolescence, relationships, and rejection.

The structure of the play is smartly broken into a series of monologues and dialogues,

with Ali effortlessly shifting between characters—her portrayal of both Tracey and other

characters she interacts with is nothing short of impressive. Her ability to embody

multiple personalities while maintaining the raw authenticity of Tracey's character keeps

the audience engaged throughout the performance.

The minimalist design of the set - a bus stop in Londons Hackney - serves as a brilliant

metaphor for the transient and unpredictable nature of Traceys journey. Despite the

simplicity of the set, it is cleverly transformed into various locations such as a bedroom,

classroom, and a friend's front door, showing how much can be achieved with a single

prop when coupled with a talented performer and sharp direction.

Ali captures Tracey's street-smart exterior, but also brings to life her underlying

vulnerability. The character’s quick wit, sass, and resilience mask a deeper struggle to

navigate life’s hard lessons—lessons that come faster than they should for a young girl

of her age.

Brabon’s direction is tight and focused, allowing Ali’s talent to shine without distraction.

The emotional depth and range Ali displays as she shifts between humorous and

heartbreaking moments reflect Coel’s skillful writing, bringing authenticity to this coming-

of-age story.

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