Road to Mecca: An Unexpected Lightshow

Photo Courtesy BU Photography.

Road to Mecca, by playwright Athol Fugard, is based on the true story of the dwindling years of a widow in a small South African town. The play is focused on Helen Martins, portrayed by Elaine Vaan Hogue, and her interaction with the community she is alienated from. In other words, this is a play about your crazy neighbor, which your parents told you about to scare you when you were growing up.

Elsa Barlow, played by Ali Kerestly, is a young teacher in Capetown, who visits Martins, a long time friend, to make sure the widow is doing alright. Throughout the course of the play, there are different secrets and issues that are highlighted between the two. In addition, there is the character of Marius Byleveld, depicted by Mark Cohen, a pastor for the church, which has a major presence in the small community, as it is the reason for Martins’ alienation.

In accord, the setting added to the atmosphere of the play, giving a fuller sense of place. When you enter the theatre, a series of glass bottles and lights hang above the stage, for a small lightshow that comes up late in the play.

“I thought that the lights were a brilliant touch,” said Sharron Browne, a freshman at Emerson. “It was kind-of trippy and I was wondering what was with the bottles the entire time, but it made for a brilliant effect.”

Also, the play itself is a balanced the wit with the dramatic. The actors were superb to those in attendance, who found the entire piece amazing.

“I had heard of this through the grapevine and decided ‘why not?’” said Jonathan Palmer, a visiting patron. “I was absolutely astounded and pleased with the level that the actors took it to and would gladly come back and watch it again.”

The play was put on in accordance with the CreAction South Africa put on by the College of Fine Arts. CreAction is an exhibition of art from South Africa, in celebration of the Caversham Press, a South African print house founded in 1985. Caversham was responsible for opening the doors for many artists in apartheid South Africa, and remains strong today.

Mecca was written by South African playwright, actor, and director, Athol Fugard, who works have often been in opposition of the apartheid system. He is well known as the author of the book, Tsotsi, which was made into an academy award winning film in 2005.

Road to Mecca began its run on February 16th and will be completing its run on March 5th at the Boston University Theatre on Huntington Avenue.

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