For a majority of Westerners, Africa is full of poor people who need help from outsiders. But, as a young Canadian woman will soon realize, reading many books on the topic can never replace true experience. When she moves to Kenya to become a teacher, her exploration of identity and nationality leads to her discovering that poverty can also be a state of mind.
Attending the reading of a new play in development is always exciting. During this important step in the creative process, members of the audience get to have a say on the final version of the piece. It is also a great way for actors to connect with the script. I like to call it an ‘intimate moment’, because the complete essence of the play is laid bare for us to catch through words.
“(Africanada): A Love Story” boasts a simple and yet surprisingly effective storyline. All the ingredients for a solid and impacting play are there: interesting subjects, good dialogues, spurts of humour, and a little drumming. I particularly enjoyed how the elements of African lore and mythology (e.g. Anansi the Spider and the history of souls) are used to propel the story forward.
However, I feel that the script would gain from having one or two extra scenes. Two acts would also help give more prominence to the changes the young woman goes through during her time in Kenya. In particular, her experience in the classroom is not given enough prominence.
“(Africanada): A Love Story” has great potential. I look forward to seeing the play.
This reading was part of FemFest 2011, Sarasvàti Productions' national festival celebrating women theatre artists. The festival ends on September 24.
More about “(Africanada): A Love Story”
Playwright: Rose Condo
Rose Condo has an extensive experience in theatre and education. She has taught with the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, the Youth Peacebuilding Project, and the University of Winnipeg’s Department of Theatre and Film. She has also participated in several community arts initiatives in Manitoba, England, Scotland, and Kenya. Her directorial credits include East African playwright Troy Howe’s “Schools” for the 2009 Winnipeg Fringe. Condo currently works with MTYP’s Aboriginal Arts Program.
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