Moon on a Rainbow Shawl is often dubbed a ‘forgotten play’. After winning a slew of awards when it first appeared in 1958, Errol John’s piece faded into obscurity, indeed it was not performed for some twenty years. Now, following a run at the National Theatre, the calypso kitchen-sink drama is touring the country.

Moon on a Rainbow Shawl follows the dreams and despairs of a group of Trinidadians, living cheek-by-jowl in a suburb of the Port of Spain in the 1950s. Their houses face on to the same sweaty, grimy back yard. This is where the characters collide, tensions rise and most of the action takes place.  On one side of the yard is the cacophonous prostitute Mavis, with a string of soldiers, sailors and the unfortunate longer-term lover, Prince, in tow. On the other side of the yard, stands the morally upright Sophia, a seamstress trying to cling on to the island’s traditions. She lives for her family, her wastrel husband Charlie - a former spin-bowler whose dreams of playing for the national team were dashed by a prejudiced barring system. Their bright young daughter, Esther, recites poetry and hopes to take up a scholarship. The next generation want to do things differently. The most troubled character is Ephraim, determined that there is nothing left for him on the island. He has resolved to leave for Liverpool, even if this means abandoning his friends, job, and pregnant girlfriend Rosa.

These thwarted stories are full of humanity. Though the drama builds slowly, it reels the audience in, without telling them who to side with. John’s dialogue is witty and effervescent; the play was one of the first in Britain to use Creole. The naturalistic set looks beautiful and believable, like the dilemmas played out in front of it. Among a very strong cast, particular mention goes to Martina Laird as Sophia, a role for which she received a number of award nominations.

Moon a Rainbow Shawl will appeal to lovers of John Osbourne and Tennessee Williams (it has the same, sticky-heat feel as Streetcar and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).  It is a touching, cliché-free portrayal of the West Indies, which really tries to get inside its characters’ minds. The revival is worth the wait. This is not just a forgotten play – it’s a forgotten masterpiece.