(Above: Ashwin Singh, Cara Roberts, Sandile Mthembu, Ralph Lawson & Menzi Mkhwane. Mayuri Naidu was not available for the photoshoot.)
The multi-protagonist cast is confident and consistent. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
Singh Siblings Production recently presented Freefalling at Durban's Playhouse Loft. Written by Ashwin Singh and directed by Ralph Lawson, this mixed genre play exposes audiences to the real stalwart heroines of 1987, spliced with the turbulent toils of 2017.
Seema Sewlal, a journalist from 1987, is murdered for her involvement in freeing South Africa from the stranglehold of apartheid. Her then boyfriend, Thulani Sibisi, survives and we catch up with their lives 30 years to the day of Seema's death.
The expressionist set of the skyline of fictitious Reoca Light is useful in creating shadows and isolation, with a unit set black structure cleverly used to nestle the action. The suspenseful soundscape is duly fitting to entice audiences in this horror genre. The screen had projections that enhanced the storyline and distinguished the two eras. The lighting is evocative and sometimes shadowing, which was great for the horror genre moments. The costumes of the cast, in shades of black, white, and grey with pops of red, are suitable for the style and genres that were explored.
The multi-protagonist cast is confident and consistent and includes Ashwin Singh, Cara Roberts, Mayuri Naidu, Menzi Mkhwane, and Sandile Mthembu. The ensemble is flawless in their execution of these characters. I enjoyed the direction of the silhouetted monologues behind screens.
There were some technical glitches that could be excused, and I did feel at times like there were too many genres messed together, but nonetheless, it was an enjoyable theatrical experience. - Verne Rowin Munsamy
Posts
