(Lesedi Job, Mncedisi Shabangu
& Shaun Oelf. Pic by Oscar O Ryan)
(Review from the
artSMart team from the National Arts Festival)
Lara Foot once again delivers a superb piece of theatre.
(Review by Caroline Smart)
Kenya is the land of my childhood and teenage years so Lara
Foot’s new production Fishers of Hope
touched me deeply. Written and directed by Lara Foot with Mncedisi Shabangu as
assistant director, the play had its world premiere at the 2014 National Arts
Festival, presented by the festival in association with the Baxter Theatre Centre
and Mopo Productions.
Foot travelled to Kenya to research this production, teaming
up with researchers Nina Swart and Masai warrior Miyere Miyandazi. I’m told
that I was born on the shores of Lake Naivasha so, on a search for my
biological roots, I revisited the area a few years back. Here I learned from my
friend, Joan Root (well-known through her balloon safaris and wildlife films
with her ex-husband, Alan Root), about the way the lake is being exploited.
Joan was eventually murdered. It is believed she died at the hand of those she
was trying to prevent from fishing the lake dry and destroying the precious
environment around her. Such is the volatile situation on the lake shores.
The big fish and the little fish become symbols of the
political, tribal and rural elements of the lake. The lake is also full of
hippo. At the play’s outset, we discover John in much pain having been attacked
by a monster hippo which eventually becomes his nemesis.
John (Phillip Tipo Tindisa) is a simple man who lives with
his young and charming wife Ruth (Lesedi Job) and stepson Peter (Shaun Oelf).
Things are tough financially and it looks as if John’s wound will prevent him
from fishing for some time, perhaps forever.
Into the picture comes the genial tour guide Njawu ,(Mncedisi
Shabangu), bringing with him Ruth’s political activist brother, Niara (Philip
Dikotia,) who is determined to take his sister away from this life of
degradation.
Lara Foot once again delivers a superb piece of theatre
which includes an innovative and amusing introduction as well as authentic
Kenyan music from Nceba Gongxeka who performs from the side of the stage.
Aeroplanes constantly fly overhead, indicating the influx of
more tourists which means work for Njawu. However, the passengers could also
include those who have their own agenda in exploitation.
Designed by Patrick Curtis, the set is a masterpiece and
responds well to the evocative lighting. John’s modest home is elevated and
surrounded by a slope leading down to the water which takes up the rest of the
stage space - yes, and it is real water!
Two simple jetties allow for action – the one closest to the
audience offering the strongest performance point. It is from here that Peter
casts his net. The young man is mute, his only language being dance and
choreographer Grant van Ster has created some beautiful water-borne movements.
Beautifully created and directed in its honesty and executed
by an excellent cast, Fishers of Hope
is currently running at the Baxter Flipside in Cape Town until August 2. Don’t
miss it! – Caroline Smart
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