Bandele's adaptation, under Gregory Doran's direction, is thoroughly African the voices, the drumming and dancing, and the humour.

ECONOMIST: Theatre at Stratford

Grim laughter sometimes, for Orumbo is a nasty piece of work (Mr Bandele resists political correctness), but witty with it.

ECONOMIST: Theatre at Stratford

The play darkens, naturally, for the Surinam act, but equally naturally it becomes predictable: the chain gangs, the brutal punishments, the odious English slave owners, though Mr Bandele keeps Behn's one good white, the Governor's agent Mr Trefry, to balance Orumba.

ECONOMIST: Theatre at Stratford