Flesh to a Tiger

Synopsis

A tenement yard in Jamaica, 18th Century 

Joshie is a young man whose life is interwoven with those around him. His relationship with Lal, and his protective bond with his sister, Della, who is struggling as a single mother and fending off Shepherd Aaron’s unwanted advances, paints a picture of a community where everyone’s life is tightly linked.

The play vividly brings to life the daily struggles and joys of this close-knit community, while tension simmers beneath the surface. Shepherd Aaron’s increasingly aggressive behavior threatens the yard’s harmony, placing Joshie at the center of a growing storm. He finds himself in a tough spot, balancing the need to protect his sister and assert his own place in the yard.

As tensions escalate, the play culminates in a dramatic showdown between Joshie and Shepherd Aaron, forcing Joshie to confront not just Aaron, but also his own ideas about manhood and responsibility.

The play explores the lingering echoes of colonialism, the complexities of personal power, and the enduring quest for self-definition in a world that constantly seeks to shape and define us.