Writer and Director Ntshieng Mokgoro allowed us to drink from her creative well as she presented an all-star cast in this emotional, yet witty story of a scarred family. What happens when a man's patriotism exiles him at his family's stake? Does he return the same man? Will he find his family intact?
Mduduzi Mabaso brought the character of Thami - a guerilla - to life. The character goes through a series of psychotic episodes that will make you want to hold him and at the same time, make you fear for his life and that of his loved ones. Having had dreams, and the love to deliver freedom to your people, to only come back with a torn and scarred soul, you become a walking corpse. Feelings of betrayal and questions of what could have went wrong cripple your mentality. Given that, our limited human perspective deems you insane.
Mduduzi Mabaso brought the character of Thami - a guerilla - to life. The character goes through a series of psychotic episodes that will make you want to hold him and at the same time, make you fear for his life and that of his loved ones. Having had dreams, and the love to deliver freedom to your people, to only come back with a torn and scarred soul, you become a walking corpse. Feelings of betrayal and questions of what could have went wrong cripple your mentality. Given that, our limited human perspective deems you insane.
Pretty Ncayiyane did justice to the character of Buli - a young soldier in her own rite. Always on a quest to challenge her family and community, causing havoc and uncomfortability wherever she went. A true representation of the struggles and battles we as young people are fighting daily. Issues of gender, education(and miseducation thereof), seeking to belong, finding purpose as we try to find ourselves.
The character of Maya portrayed by Harriet Manamela, wasn't short of relevance. As with her family, she also had her cross to bear. A lot of crazy love to give; a forgotten soldier for a husband; a daughter she doesn't identify with; and the gruesome curse of having to be the one that saves them from themselves. What of herself as she keeps pouring into others without being replenished?
Ntsika Ngxanga's music in the play helped express thoughts and pain while Phuti Mojela's choreography released passion and had us believing in hope. The minimal lighting and sound effects didn't interfere with the setting that screamed homely - rightfully so because when the world is done with us, there's only one place to run to - home. Home is where we go after the world spits us out. Home is where we go after rejection. Home is where we go when we've lost life's meaning and are looking for perspective. Home is our ultimate salvation. Distant Faces meet at home.
Ntsika Ngxanga's music in the play helped express thoughts and pain while Phuti Mojela's choreography released passion and had us believing in hope. The minimal lighting and sound effects didn't interfere with the setting that screamed homely - rightfully so because when the world is done with us, there's only one place to run to - home. Home is where we go after the world spits us out. Home is where we go after rejection. Home is where we go when we've lost life's meaning and are looking for perspective. Home is our ultimate salvation. Distant Faces meet at home.
First Published on 14 August, 2017.
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