Miss-Delectable
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Tonight - Skill of actors truly brings tale to life
Be prepared to experience theatre as you have never seen, or heard, it before. Presented by From the Hip: Khulumakahle, Gumbo is South Africa's first full-length deaf and hearing clowning show. It's a highly engaging and entertaining experience from start to finish.
Gumbo is the story of a young deaf boy who is forced to work in the kitchen of his abusive father's seaside restaurant. Little more than a slave, he suffers quietly as his father steals his disability grants and beats him routinely. One stormy night, a travelling salesman and his daughter arrive at the inn. After a few games of cards, the salesman bets his daughter on the final hand.
Using non-verbal techniques, the play has been produced so that both deaf and hearing audiences can enjoy it, essentially making language obsolete. As a result, the company was able to take the show to Germany recently.
Because the only dialogue used is one or two words, the play relies heavily on body language, physical comedy and facial expressions - and it succeeds. The themes of rejection, love and acceptance resonate deeply with audiences from all backgrounds.
From the moment he steps on stage, Rob Murray is hilarious as the restaurant owner. His expressive movements and comic idiosyncrasies render him a cartoon-like character so that even at his nastiest, he is funny. His brilliant, angular bow and "Ples, ples" as he ushers guests to the table is truly memorable.
Lysander Barends plays the subservient son beautifully, with just the right amount of sorrow and comic wit. Desperate to avoid another beating from his father, he is surprised to find a friend in the girl.
She, in turn, is bewildered and angry with the domineering inn-keeper and her father, played by Marlon Snyders.
He is a man swept up in the danger of the moment and while he later regrets wagering his daughter in the game, he gives no thought to her happiness at the time.
Liezl de Kock portrays the pretty young woman proudly, her body language and facial expressions softening as she and her new friend spend time together. She is engaging and the audience cannot help but be swept along with her.
Barends and De Kock interact with tenderness. Their charming discovery of friendship is like a dance as she learns to understand him.
The expressive acting, coupled with the music, is reminiscent of the old silent movies. But while the music adds to the mood, it's the skill of the actors that really brings the tale to life. The absence of dialogue makes the serious scenes more intense, leaving the audience holding its breath on more than one occasion.
Because the play is aimed at deaf and hearing audiences, movement plays an important role. The actors pull off the active sequences without looking forced.
Jacob G Kirchner's set is cleverly designed with a few surprises throughout the show, which add to the magical story.
Deaf Awareness Week runs from Moday until Friday and Gumbo is the perfect way to start building an understanding of another culture. Whether enjoyed in silence, or with the music and few words, this ground-breaking form of theatre is truly something special.
# To book, call Computicket on 083 915 8000.
Be prepared to experience theatre as you have never seen, or heard, it before. Presented by From the Hip: Khulumakahle, Gumbo is South Africa's first full-length deaf and hearing clowning show. It's a highly engaging and entertaining experience from start to finish.
Gumbo is the story of a young deaf boy who is forced to work in the kitchen of his abusive father's seaside restaurant. Little more than a slave, he suffers quietly as his father steals his disability grants and beats him routinely. One stormy night, a travelling salesman and his daughter arrive at the inn. After a few games of cards, the salesman bets his daughter on the final hand.
Using non-verbal techniques, the play has been produced so that both deaf and hearing audiences can enjoy it, essentially making language obsolete. As a result, the company was able to take the show to Germany recently.
Because the only dialogue used is one or two words, the play relies heavily on body language, physical comedy and facial expressions - and it succeeds. The themes of rejection, love and acceptance resonate deeply with audiences from all backgrounds.
From the moment he steps on stage, Rob Murray is hilarious as the restaurant owner. His expressive movements and comic idiosyncrasies render him a cartoon-like character so that even at his nastiest, he is funny. His brilliant, angular bow and "Ples, ples" as he ushers guests to the table is truly memorable.
Lysander Barends plays the subservient son beautifully, with just the right amount of sorrow and comic wit. Desperate to avoid another beating from his father, he is surprised to find a friend in the girl.
She, in turn, is bewildered and angry with the domineering inn-keeper and her father, played by Marlon Snyders.
He is a man swept up in the danger of the moment and while he later regrets wagering his daughter in the game, he gives no thought to her happiness at the time.
Liezl de Kock portrays the pretty young woman proudly, her body language and facial expressions softening as she and her new friend spend time together. She is engaging and the audience cannot help but be swept along with her.
Barends and De Kock interact with tenderness. Their charming discovery of friendship is like a dance as she learns to understand him.
The expressive acting, coupled with the music, is reminiscent of the old silent movies. But while the music adds to the mood, it's the skill of the actors that really brings the tale to life. The absence of dialogue makes the serious scenes more intense, leaving the audience holding its breath on more than one occasion.
Because the play is aimed at deaf and hearing audiences, movement plays an important role. The actors pull off the active sequences without looking forced.
Jacob G Kirchner's set is cleverly designed with a few surprises throughout the show, which add to the magical story.
Deaf Awareness Week runs from Moday until Friday and Gumbo is the perfect way to start building an understanding of another culture. Whether enjoyed in silence, or with the music and few words, this ground-breaking form of theatre is truly something special.
# To book, call Computicket on 083 915 8000.