Badgers is an experience as much as it is a play written and performed by Malaika Kegode. It takes you on a journey into the world of an unsolved mystery touching on folk lore, witchcraft, and the supernatural. All villages have stories that are shrouded in mystery.
The audience are informed by Kegode that for the duration of the story that they will become Meles Costas, a very under-qualified true-crime podcaster whose living in the shadow of her high-achieving mother, whose now terminally ill. The concept appears to work as many of the audience immersed themselves into the storyline.
After releasing some music, a young musician called Ben disappeared without a trace ten years ago, and it all remains a mystery. The reclusive lady, Bridget, that he had been boarding with is shrouded in mystery and appears to have witchcraft abilities. However, she isn’t particularly interested in talking to anyone about anything. So Meles has to earn her trust first in order to try and get to the truth.
The story is a gothic style narrative, with witchcraft and the supernatural intertwined. However, I had to suspend my disbelief around the interactions with the wild badgers as they aren’t an animal that you should ever approach.
Kegode talks about everyone in the room having their own story and walking their own path. It doesn’t matter whether you invest in the storyline or not for that short period of time. Everyone in the room has shared that particular experience and will have taken away their own interpretation of the story with them.
There’s a hynopic tone to Kegode’s storytelling voice, which allows you to feel safe and trust what she is telling you. No matter how obscure the story becomes.
For more information about Badgers, currently performing at the Traverse Theatre, please use the link below.
Four Stars.
Photo credit-Paul Blakemore
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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