SENSE OF BELONGING. To 20 July
Manchester
SENSE OF BELONGING
devised by Chuck Mike with Performance Studio Workshop (Nigeria)
Presented by Collective Artistes - Green Room - Arcola Theatre in association with SISTERHELP and WOMANKIND Worldwide.
Arcola Theatre, London to 13 July
The Green Room, Manchester 17 - 20 July
Wed to Sat 8pm
1hr 30mon No interval
TICKETS (Manchester) 0161 615 0500
A stunning piece of theatre on the sensitive issue of female circumcision; brilliantly performed, stunningly directed and deserving of the widest audience possible. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is an issue rarely tackled and yet it affects millions of women in the world. Director Chuck Mike used theatre workshops to gather testimony from women in Nigeria, serving his purpose as a theatre-maker as well as providing the necessary opportunity for these women to speak. As Mike says in the programme notes: 'Speaking seems to be the first point of liberation for haunted individuals'.
The result is a play of astonishing power where seven women's stories are played out in a robust and challenging storytelling style. Mike has a highly refined sense of how to engage his audience. Despite the harrowing stories presented, the sheer physical exuberance - including high energy dancing - lifts the spirit. And then, by contrast, there are chilling moments of stillness. Perhaps surprisingly, given the subject matter, there are also many moments of wit and humour.
In a particularly memorable moment, a testimony is given in Yoruba and then translated into English. The laughs come first from the Nigerians in the audience and are then echoed by the English speakers. This is just one of the extraordinary moments that you won't find readily at most other theatre event.
This is also a cast working for next to nothing because they're deeply committed to the piece. Don't let anyone tell you that the lack of Black presence on most of our stages is because the actors can't be found - there are eight fabulously talented Black women in this play to start with. As an ensemble, they give us a magnetic intensity, compelling characterisations and spot on singing and dancing.
The night I saw this play it received a deserved, spontaneous standing ovation. Clearly, it wasn't just me who was inspired by its theatricality. And yet, I left the theatre angry for two reasons.
Firstly, about the issue - my own ignorance and a colossal sense of hopelessness. Secondly, that this piece has involved three major producing theatres - the Royal National Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Theatre Royal Stratford East - and yet it's getting just a two week tour on a shoestring. My guess is that the theatre that has the courage to properly back Sense of Belonging will have a hit on their hands.
Woman 1: Diannah Daley
Woman 2: Louisa Eyo
Woman 3: Sesan Ogunledun
Woman 4: Omotolani Sarumi
Woman 5: Suzann Mclean
Woman 6: Mae Louise Robinson
Woman 7: Marva Alexander
Guest, passenger: Anita Letang
Percussionist/Man 1: Ayo Odia
Percussionist: Stephen Blagrove
Percussionist: Ayo Thomas
Director: Chuck Mike
Musical Director: Juwon Ogungbe
Choreographer: Charles Olokpa
Set Designer: Chrystine Bennett
Lighting Design: Gabi B'anki
Company Stage Manager: Anna Jordahl
2002-08-07 14:42:46