Vyshanvee Wijekumar

Is God Is opens with a person whose head is encased in a burning house, foreshadowing the homicidal acts that destroy the very fabric of familial ideals. Twin sisters Racine and Anaia have been estranged from their mother for 18 years, however a letter sent from her death bed reconnects them. All three bear the scars of their father’s attempt to burn their mother alive, and on their mother’s directive, they decide to reap violent vengeance upon him. American playwright Aleshea Harris' breakout hit comes to Australia thanks to this co-production from Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company. The play features an all-black cast, with co-directors Zindzi Okenyo and Shari Sebbens continuing their acclaimed streak of steering stories that strike a communal resonance, including their recent hit co-directorial debut, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner. Henrietta Enyonam Amevor (STC's Hubris & Humiliation) stars as the timid Anaia, with Masego Pitso killing it as the assertive Racine. Cessalee Stovall plays their mother, referred to as the eponymous 'God', with an authority that resounds throughout the play as the driving intention behind the twins’ mission.  Is God Is is a captivating tale of retribution with exceptional performances that draw you in through a sinister premise. The journey traverses the Deep South to the Californian desert to Connecticut, taking its stylistic inspiration from spaghetti westerns, hip-hop and afropunk. It strings together ideas of ques