Van Vuuren impresses, as always, with his
versatility in voice, accent and character – sometimes conducting a
conversation with three people. (Review by Caroline Smart)
There’s no denying that Rob van Vuuren is one of
South Africa’s most innovative creators of theatre. The 2019 National Arts
Festival has seen him return with Electric
Juju, one of his earlier most successful productions at the festival.
Electric Juju is written by Rob van Vuuren
and directed by Helen Iskander and James Cuningham. This is van Vuuren’s 25th
year at the festival and with each year, he has consistently produced innovative
and highly creative theatre.
This physical theatre piece is a fantasy epic of
heroism. Van Vuuren appears as this massive giant. The giant is represented by
a huge structure which he carries in a shoulder harness before laying it on the
stage so he can move away from it. I must admit, I spent a fair amount of focus
wondering how on earth it was made, it was so effective. Imagine a huge
armchair covered with fluffy scruffy grey material that virtually dwarfs the
actor!
There is a fight for the Giant’s heart which the
evil Electric Juju wants to claim for himself. A young innocent girl, Susan,
becomes involved and she is the only one who can save the situation.
Van Vuuren impresses, as always, with his
versatility in voice, accent and character – sometimes conducting a
conversation with three people. You have to keep your mind alert to follow who’s
who!
Electric Juju has two more performances:
July 3 at 17h00 and July 4 at 19h00 at Kingswood Theatre. – Caroline Smart
(National Arts Festival: To link direct to the NAF site click on the
large banner that runs across the top of this blog) or visit https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/)
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