Four people silently enter a room. Each has been invited here by someone unknown, for an as yet undetermined purpose. Is it the dentist? Is it immigration? Or is it something more sinister? Gradually, connections begin to emerge and links form, through conversations in the waiting room and a series of flashbacks to an ordinary home in a gated village in Africa.
The story centres on a husband, wife, lover and a fugitive on the run. The wife is excellent, delivering her lines with perfection. She's funny, loud and quite scary as she tears into her husband, accusing him (rightfully) of infidelity. Some of her comments are hysterical but because they are delivered in rapid fire it can be difficult to make them out. The husband’s character is not fleshed out enough to make him interesting, whereas Don Flexi, the gold-adorned gansta and Cara, the femme fatale in six inch stilettos, are colourful stereotypes. Unfortunately, much of the dialogue between these characters is stilted and conversation doesn’t flow easily between them.
The story is punctured every 12-15 minutes by short monologues from each of the four characters. These ‘sermons’ are about life and hope and predestination and each is well structured with lots of visual metaphors. At first they give the impression that this is an evangelical Christian play, but first impressions can be deceiving.
Wole Oguntikun, a renowned Nigerian playwright and 'stage activist', wrote and directed this play for Renegade Theatre company. Unfortunately, the show’s lack of tension and intrigue don’t live up to this reputation.
The redemption of the play comes when the action heats up towards the end and motives, connections, betrayals and double crosses are revealed. Are we all hoping for salvation? Is this a story of morality? Are we all doomed? You'll have to see the show for yourself to find out.
