An intriguing display of physical theatre
and storytelling. (Review by Keith Millar)
South Africa’s great short story writer,
Herman Charles Bosman, is perhaps best known for his rather droll, much-loved
Oom Schalk Lourens stories. Oom Schalk is a raconteur who tells stories
featuring the hardy and somewhat eccentric Afrikaner folk who inhabited the dry
bushveld area of Groot Marico in the first half of the 20th century.
These stories of enormous character and
atmosphere have served as an inspiration to many theatre makers. There have
been several story tellers who have used this material and there has been a
variety of dramatisations.
Now we a have an unusual physical theatre
adaptation of these masterpieces. Created by Andrew Laubscher and Tara Notcutt After Dark in The Groot Marico is a
follow-up to their award-winning Mafeking
Road and was seen at the Hilton Arts Festival this year.
The stories presented in this production
are Music Maker, Pink Roses and Brown
Water, Unto Dust and Veld Maiden.
Andrew Laubscher is joined by Fleur du Cap
winner for Most Promising Student, Sive Gubangxa, on stage for an intriguing
display of physical theatre and storytelling.
On a bare stage and dressed initially in
black suites complete with black bowties, they use only their bodies and voices
to act out the tales. It is a kaleidoscope of movement and vocal sound effects
as they take it in turns to tell the stories and attempt to depict the
atmosphere and environment so expertly fashioned by Bosman.
Physical theatre requires considerable work
on the part of the audience member to translate and understand the action on
stage. I also have no doubt that there is also room for alternative
translations.
By that token I found it difficult to
equate much of what I saw to the stories of Bosman. For example, during the
production the two actors dramatically divest themselves of their bowties,
jackets and shirts, leaving them in t-shirts and black trousers, I have no idea
why.
There is no doubt that these two actors are
very good at the discipline of physical theatre. Particularly Gubangxa, a
diminutive young lady, was very impressive. They made the most of the drama and
humour inherent in the Oom Schalk stories.
However, I cannot help but think that they
have missed the point of Bosman. I feel that they have failed to translate, and
bring to life, the rich character and atmosphere of the Groot Marico, and its
people, as created by Bosman and related by the quintessential story teller,
Oom Schalk Lourens. – Keith Millar
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