“Red/Ouma” as seen by Tarryn Saunders

 

 

I don’t think that anything could prepare you for the unreal journey that you undertake as an audience member of Red. This is certainly theatre that transports you to a world beyond yourself.  The beginning is startling enough, when a cape- clad “Karlie” meets you at the foyer, teaches you a liedjie, and leads you through the forest to Ouma’s house, bouncing with contagious joy and anticipation. Then the wolf howls.

But the visit to Ouma’s cottage is not a tea party filled with anecdotes and idle chatter. You visit the psyche of a man digging back into the darkness of his memories, triggered by nostalgia of childhood trips to the farm home of his very traditional Afrikaner grandparents.  Within his mind are the fears and horrors of identity, change, and uncertainty, which come to life through twisted fragments of the Little Red Riding Hood story. He must travel inside himself, leave his safe place and confront the villains that have defined his story for too long. The harrowing ending has several meanings.

Inside the Intimate Theatre, Sjaka Septembir has created a complex universe for his characters, ideas, and superb talent to run riot in. There are twists and surprises at every corner, with macabre humour, changing masked characters, and the odd cup of tea. Every moment is captivating; there is no choice but to stay with the actor’s unwavering focus. The images are delicately thought out and richly layered. Props are used with originality and freshness. An audience member unfamiliar to Afrikaans would be at a disadvantage. A main theme of the piece is Afrikaner stereotyping, with the Afrikaans language used as a vital storytelling tool. And I would warn sensitive viewers. The Wolf is not a vegetarian.

When you exit the theatre, you leave with an exceptional gift that Sjaka Septembir has given with a lot of guts and a brave and generous heart. You will leave with myriads of discoveries and questions to explore, yet no audience member leaves with the same impression of the story. Even if one knows nothing about Sjaka himself, there is an undeniable sense that the story is deeply personal.

You may leave with the richness of the words that stick at the top of the tongue of modern Afrikaner identity. You may cling to the cape of red velvet, with its echoes of childhood and surreal fairytale dreams. Perhaps you’ll feel nauseas after witnessing the violence and horror that the eternal Bag Bad Wolf always threatens to bring. Maybe you’ll be challenged by this incredibly brave and original artist, your own mind alive with new ideas for your own creations. But I highly doubt that the many shades of Red will leave you untouched. If I haven’t made it obvious enough, Red is bloody brilliant.

As an audience member said: “Dankie Sjaka, dis fokken diep.”

Intimate Theatre

Sunday 4 September 20h30
Tuesday 6 September 21h00
Wednesday 7th September 18h30 

 

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