(Faca
Kulu as Jesus Christ with the full cast. Pic by Val Adamson)
New
gospel opera-musical offers a robust and energetic yet wholly sincere look at
the Passion of Christ. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Presented
by Catalina UnLtd in Durban and funded by the National Lottery Distribution
Trust Fund, the new gospel opera-musical, The
African Passion, had its world premiere last night at the start of a four-performance
Durban season before it sets off on a nationwide tour.
The
production offers a robust and energetic - yet wholly sincere - look at the
Passion of Christ. It is based on the Gospel according to St John and the
choral masterwork will feature close to a hundred voices on stage in every city
on the tour.
The African Passion is created by such artistic
heavyweights as Themi Venturas (director and librettist); and associate composers
Phelelani Mnomiya and Anthony Govender of Destiny Music as well as the Young
Mbazo (grandchildren of world-renowned acappella group, Ladysmith Black
Mambazo). The musical styles range from choral and gospel to light jazz and hip
hop … and then some!
The
production team also includes choreographer Daisy Spencer, Desiré Govender as
vocal director as well as the technical design team, Wired Media, who provide the
visuals played onto the back screen.
It’s an
ambitious production and, thanks to a well-chosen cast, succeeds in telling
this age-old story in yet another way while still maintaining due respect and
compassion. While the action takes place on the stage, the combined choral
ensemble of the Umlazi Oasis Church Choir and the Clermont Choir is split up
and placed on scaffolding either side of the stage.
Faca
Kulu’s portrayal of Jesus Christ gives us a man of stature, passion and humour.
The humour comes out in the highly enjoyable Last Supper scene. He’s real, we
can relate to him – especially in his moments of despair when, in his final
hours, he feels his God has forsaken him.
Good to
see Grant Jacobs back in town and putting in a fervent performance as Simon
Peter who has to undergo so much soul-searching. Another welcome face back on
the Durban stage is Natalia da Rocha giving dignity to the role of Mary, the
mother. Dewald von Solms and Caitlin Kilburn impress as Pontius Pilate and his
wife, while Babuyile Shabalala as Herod has a hectic scene full of disco lights
and wild music!
In good
voice as the Pharisees are Blessing Xaba (Caiaphas), Aubrey Lodewyk (Annas) and
Bonakele Edward Lungu (Eleazar) as well as Sharon Dee who plays Mary Magdalene.
Playing disciples when they aren’t townsfolk, soldiers, revellers or members of
the mob are Simo Dlamini (Thomas); Jabulani Mthembu (John), and Nkosinathi
Mnqayi (Judas).
I have a
few quibbles, the most irritating of which was the erratic sound level which
often blasted our consciousness out of the story and into technicalities. I
thought the “puppet” style figure of Jesus jerkily ascending the mountain
carrying his cross very distracting - a still figure would have been more powerful.
The visuals of Roman-styled columns and multi-storied buildings in a square
didn’t logically fit with Zulu spears, beer pots and toyi-toying.
However,
these are minor issues in what is a highly worthwhile production.
The African Passion runs until March 17 at the Umlazi Oasis Fellowship Centre. Performances
Thursday to Friday at 19h00, Saturday at 14h00 and 19h00 and Sunday at 14h00.
Tickets R100 @ Computicket.
The African Passion is produced by Catalina UnLtd in
Durban has been funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. It is
supported by Safm; The Daily News / Argus / Star Tonight; Vuma 103 FM and DSTV
channels: One Gospel Television; Dumisa TV; Soweto TV; 1KZN TV and Nelson
Mandela Bay TV.
The tour
includes Port Elizabeth (PE Opera House: March 21–24); Cape Town (Baxter Main
Theatre: March 28-31); Soweto (Soweto Theatre: April 5–7); Johannesburg
(Jo’burg Theatre: April 11–14), and Mafikeng (Mmabatho Civic Centre: April
18–21). A further run back in Durban
from April 26 to 28 is still to be confirmed.
Charities,
churches and fundraisers are encouraged to use the show to raise funds for
their organisations. Those interested should contact the national sales manager
of The African Passion, Ailsa Windsor
on 083 250 2690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com – Caroline Smart
Posts
