FLUID, FLUENT AND DYNAMIC |
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) The Minister’s Son by James Nokise directed by Sonal Patel Not Even Broductions at BATS, Wellington From 19 Feb 2009 to 22 Feb 2009 [55 mins] Reviewed by John Smythe, 20 Feb 2009 |
What saves The Minister's Son from being a slightly embarrassing snoop into someone's private life, and his therapeutic confronting of it, is the truth that anchors it and the skill with which the story is told and performed.
Based on the minimal media material available and James Nokise's impressive track record as a stand-up comedian, I'd assumed this would be an autobiographical one-man laugh show. In fact it is a fully scripted 3-hander, written by Nokise, directed by Sonal Patel, performed by Nokise, Asalemo Tofete and Kathryn Tyree; somewhat fictionalised (I think - the was no programme on opening night) with different character names, and as dramatic as it is comic.
Through a series of tightly-written scenes and deft transitions through time, location and character, a particular yet universal story unfolds, with all three actors impressively nailing the heart of each character and scene.
As a young man, Povi (I think) - the Samoan father-to-be of Jimmy - is subjected to strong discipline by his minister father and, despite being chosen to train as a diplomat, he too is forced to become a minister. His calling is not from God but from his family and community.
While studying he meets and marries Mary, a very loving British librarian, and they have a child: Jimmy. But when she fails to intuitively align to Samoan culture - Povi is never there to show her how - the minister beats her. Despite interventions from an uncle, the violence continues, escalates ... and Mary leaves.
When Jimmy directly addresses us in the audience, at about this point, it feels like a sudden change in style. I take it the shock is intended to nudge our awareness that this is a real and personal story ... Either that, or Nokise has realised some parts of the story are better handled through narration. Either way, it's the moment that anchors it in truth.
By this time I'm getting a bit confused as to who exactly is whom on occasions, and the lack of a programme with character names, etc, doesn't help. Samoan-speakers may be able to track it all more easily - and I totally approve of using the language; it's to be expected when we immerse ourselves in another culture. But I'm more of a visitor-from-abroad than I want to be.
It is clear that Povi meets another Palagi woman, Sarah, and he mends his ways, including running a men's group - of which more could be made, if this is the means by which he addresses domestic violence in himself as well as in his wider community.
Jimmy does well at school, winning a speech competition ... And when he decides to do performing arts instead of becoming a lawyer or doctor, his way is not blocked, as evidenced by the performance itself (not to mention his career to date). The final moment, when he phones his father to say has written a story about him is riveting. Not that we hear the reaction. Maybe that is yet to come. Meanwhile we get to conjure with the possibilities.
Theatrically The Minister's Son is fluid, fluent and dynamic, if a little obscure at times. Imbued as it is with cultural and personal veracity, it generates much humour as it compels our judgement, empathy and compassion.
Asalemo Tofete extends his already extraordinary range, contrasting his familiar lightness with a new and frightening aggression. Kathryn Tyree communicates a great deal non-verbally, fully ingabiting each state of being for her two characters. James Nokise blends some delicious caricatures with his heart-felt connections to the action.
Well worth seeing.
[Clarifications, corrections of spelling etc, welcome]
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See also reviews by:
Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);
Nik Smythe
Sharon Matthews
Comments
| Kathryn Tyree | posted 21 Feb 2009, 02:24 PM / edited 22 Feb 2009, 12:00 AM |
Thank you very much for the review John. Our next season is in the Auckland fringe, we're also going to Dunedin, but no info posted yet. http://www.aucklandfringe.org.nz/calendar.aspx?m=mar&d=19&page=3 Cheers, Kathryn |