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Saturday, July 9, 2016

NAF: PEOPLE BENEATH OUR FEET




(Reviews from the artSMart team currently in Grahamstown at the 2016 National Arts Festival)

Enriching to see young theatre-makers tackle sensitive political matters in such a delicate manner. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)

Hungry Minds Productions, a novice theatre company residing in Cape Town, brought three productions to the festival this year, including Rajesh Gopie’s Out of Bounds (directed by ex Durban UKZN Durban graduate Crizelle Anthony). I was quite impressed by this young company, only in their first year of operation.

Showing in Glennie Hall, the set of People Beneath Our Feet comprises a circle of sand with suggestive props that hint at a refugee setup. Sounds of soldiers above, gunfire and vehicles suggests that this camp is located below-ground.

These recent graduates of UCT are (as they say) hungry to make poignant theatre that reflects and challenges our current times and values. They whisk us off into a world where we investigate a place torn apart by war in some fractured time. The hideout houses four characters trying to escape, fighting the system, waiting for salvation and forced to remember their past evils. It is enriching to see young theatre-makers tackle sensitive political matters in such a delicate manner. They are certainly capable of great feats.

The piece is eloquently directed by Blythe Stuart Linger and well written by Kirosh Naidoo (who also gives a gripping performance as Isa, the brother navigating an escape route) and Katya Menderson. Kathleen Stephens is outstanding as Aya and other performers include Roberto Kyle Meyer (the child soldier) and Ameera Conrad (as the bolshie fighter). A well-earned encore standing ovation. - Verne Rowin Munsamy

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