(TW: Mentions of Xenophobia, Homophobia, Domestic Violence, Teen Pregnancy, and Murder)
Your age does not define your ability to create the most meaningful art. This much was very clear to anyone watching The Run For Life, the first of five plays.
Phoenix College definitely had the youngest performers, some seeming no older than 14, and yet, their play had a stronger meaning than some of the other plays of the night.
Set initially in a school classroom, the play starts with a history teacher exhibiting blatant xenophobia to a young girl with Zimbabwean heritage. The play only snowballs from there. All the students have incredibly harsh home lives, from homophobic parents, to immigrant parents who have been treated atrociously, to experience with teen pregnancy and so much more.
The use of different languages is incredible, and the use of song and dance even more so. Most scenes were accompanied with a drum. This brought the play to new levels, and added to the already vibrant atmosphere.
As the play goes on, we learn of the protagonist’s mother’s story, and why she is so against the teacher’s xenophobia. Through an incredible use of choreography, props, song, and dance, we learn that the main character’s grandmother was murdered for being an immigrant- the community believing that she used witchcraft- and her young daughter was left alone to fend for herself. As hard as it was to watch, it shed light to an ever present and ever growing problem immigrants face in South Africa. We watched as a young mother and daughter ran for their lives, with a mob of angry protesters following behind them. We felt the fear they felt, the young mother’s shirt stained with blood, and a young daughter’s scream that still echoes in my head.
Despite the heartbreaking nature of the play, the kids still found moments to make us laugh, which managed to bring a little lightheartedness to a devastating storyline. The plot was raw, and the performances were astounding. We got to see young performers in their element, and it was clear from the start that they loved every second of their stage time, their craft, and the masterpiece they spent months creating.
The props were all hand-made or found by the students themselves, and there was meticulous attention to detail. I found it beautiful and an honour to witness this play unfold. Every chair, placard, and character position was planned with a level of high expertise and professionalism- not one you’d ever expect school kids to perform. And yet, every move was well rehearsed, and for every cardboard sign that fell, there was someone who picked it up with god-like slickness and professionalism. We were watching masters at work.
Each prop was simple yet used very effectively.
The Run For Life is an incredible achievement, and everyone on the team should be more than proud of themselves. At the end of the day they achieved what every play aims to do: They made the audience think. These kids are going places far greater than any of them can imagine, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
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