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By Meghan Yuri Young
Video by Thomas Obewu
June 2023 Update: ‘da Kink In My Hair enjoyed a successful Toronto run with Soulpepper. While the play is no longer being staged, our video interview speaks to the importance of this production for Canadian theatre. After you check out the video, browse our event listings of upcoming stage productions to discover Toronto’s diverse theatre offerings.
For hairdresser Novelette Campbell, every curl, wave, coil, lock, and root tells a story. In the imagined Eglinton West hair salon at the centre of ‘da Kink In My Hair, Novelette unmasks her clients’ innermost thoughts just by touching their tresses. This intimate storytelling device sets the stage for a musical testament to the challenges and victories in the lives of Black women.
Twenty years after its full production debut, the brainchild of playwright Trey Anthony was once again celebrated with a totally revitalized production at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts’ Bluma Appel Theatre. Presented by Soulpepper Theatre Company and TO Live, the play also reunited many of the original cast members — including d’bi.young anitafrika, Satori Shakoor, and Miranda Edwards — with director Weyni Mengesha. Best known today as Soulpepper’s artistic director, Weyni directed, wrote the Dora-nominated score and lyrics, and played in the band for the first full ‘da Kink In My Hair production at Theatre Passe Muraille in June 2003. She also reprised these roles in the 2005 Mirvish-produced remount at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
For Weyni and the cast, ‘da Kink In My Hair’s return was an opportunity to reflect on their own growth while introducing new audiences to the powerful healing that can happen when women come together.