An excellent learning tool for all involved in its staging.
(Review by Keith Millar)
Behind Closed Minds
was the production chosen by the Durban University of Technology as its entry
to the Student Theatre component of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown
this year.
This was a fine achievement for third year student Farréll
Drew as he not only wrote and directed the production but, for good measure,
composed the incidental music heard in the piece.
artSMart was due to review Behind Closed Doors at the festival but unfortunately the reviewer scheduled
for the task was laid low by a spider bite and had to miss the production.
Fortunately, the production also formed part of the New
Directors Festival (Phase 11) presented by the Department of Drama and
Production Studies at the Durban University of Technology’s Courtyard Theatre
so we were able to review it, after all.
Behind Closed Minds
is a hard hitting, powerful and dark story which deals with the abuse of power.
Dr Victor Duval, a rather despicable character, is a hypnotherapist who
exercises absolute authority over everyone he comes in contact with. All, from
his patients to his wife, are subjected to abuse from this man - often when
they are under hypnosis and defenceless. He appears set on destroying the lives
of anyone who trusts him.
Productions at DUT often feature large casts in order to
allow as many students as possible the chance to appear on stage. Behind Closed Minds, on the other hand,
has a small ensemble cast of six. This affords the actors a better opportunity
to develop their characters and to display their talents.
The cast of the production grasp this opportunity with both
hands and put in thoughtful and enthusiastic performances.
Gabriel Miya as Dr. Duval is particularly noteworthy. He is
very convincing as this evil and immoral character. Miya is blessed with a
strong sonorous bass/baritone voice which he uses to good effect. I have seen
him play the villain very successfully in other DUT productions and he may be
at risk of being typecast as a rogue.
The others in the cast were Nozipho Mbhele as Duval’s wife,
Sbabili Myeza, and Anelisa Bele as patients, Ntando Madlala as the mother of
one of the patients and Anathi Gobeni who plays Choric Seer who serves as
Duval’s angelic conscience.
Posts
