Notes from the Field

Anna Deavere Smith delves into poverty, police brutality, mass incarceration and educational failure in her urgent, timely and mind-opening 2016 docutheater solo piece, which she is reprising for one weekend in advance of a London run. As she shifts with almost insouciant skill among 17 characters of different sexes and races, her probing intelligence and fair-mindedness retain a tangible presence. She holds her subjects in a tough but loving embrace. Read the full 2016 review.