An interview with writer and actor Temi Wilkey
An interview with…
writer and actor Temi Wilkey
Just after a matinee, with adrenaline still running high, I caught up with Temi Wilkey in her dressing room at Soho Theatre to talk about Main Character Energy. The show is bold, hilarious, and deeply personal; a powerful reclamation of space, particularly as a Black woman in an industry that doesn't always offer the spotlight.
Watching Temi Wilkey perform Main Character Energy, I was immediately struck by how effortlessly she blended humor, vulnerability, and incisive social commentary. The performance is a vibrant combination of cabaret, comedy, and intimate storytelling, inviting audiences to reflect on identity, ambition, and systemic racism.
Temi revealed that the inspiration behind the show was rooted in a single photograph capturing her in a moment of pure, unguarded confidence. “I was just dancing at a club in East London,” she recalled, “and someone pulled me onto this runway. Months later, when I saw the photo, I thought, ‘Wow! I had never seen myself like that, so powerful and taking up space.’” This image became a catalyst, informing the show's central theme: the act of occupying space, both literally and figuratively.
Throughout our conversation, Temi discussed the balance of vulnerability and strength required to share personal experiences on stage. “Because the show is so funny, it helps protect me,” she explained. The support of her creative team, combined with sessions with a drama therapist, allowed her to maintain a healthy separation from the deeply personal aspects portrayed. “It doesn’t feel like it's just me alone doing a show about my trauma,” she emphasized. “It feels joyful, silly, glamorous.”
Temi doesn’t shy away from confronting institutionalized racism within the performing arts, candidly addressing how these barriers stifle Black creativity. “There are lots of barriers, both obvious and quiet, to Black creativity,” she noted. “It’s insidious. In this country, it's worse to be called racist than to actually be racist, which makes it hard to address.” Yet, the show's playful and playful tone allows Temi, and the audience, to explore these serious issues without descending into self-pity. “A friend said to me, ‘You explore all these things, but there’s no self-pity,’ and I really appreciated that reflection,” she shared.
What resonated most deeply for me was Temi's unapologetic energy, distinctly rooted in queerness; not just as a thematic element but as a core part of her artistic expression. Her fluid transitions between spoken word, dance, and song embody the very essence of queerness, defying categorization. As she beautifully described it, queerness and creativity intertwine "like a DNA helix," shaping everything she creates.
Ultimately, Main Character Energy goes beyond a traditional one-woman show; it's an empowering call for authenticity and unapologetic self-expression. Temi Wilkey's performance powerfully demonstrates what it means to own your narrative and inspires others to claim their own space.
I ended our conversation by asking Temi if she had a question for all of us. "When was the last time you truly took up space?" It’s an invitation, and a provocation, for us all to boldly step into our own spotlight.
Main Character Energy is at Soho Theatre until 15 March.
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