BELOW MY FEET. Originally conceptualised by Megan Black, Clara Baldwin and Luke Brown. Directed by Meagan Miller. Performed by students at Fish Hoek High School.
TRACEY SAUNDERS reviews
In a recent article in the Guardian Sunny Singh wrote about the importance of story and representation: “All storytellers – and novelists, poets, journalists, and film makers are, ultimately, just that – know the power we hold. Stories can dehumanise, demonise and erase. Such stories are essential to pave the way for physical and material violence against those we learn to hate. But stories are also the only means of humanising those deemed inhuman; to create pity, compassion, sympathy, even love for those who are strange and strangers.” I never expected to find such a literal interpretation of her definition on a stage at a high school in the peninsula. The original version of Below My Feet, was an intimate look at the stories of a young generation grappling with the complexity of life. Meagan Miller has taken a group of Fish Hoek students on a journey where they have shared their stories and in doing so revealed themselves and allowed us a glimpse at our common humanity.
No lack of talent
The young director performed in the original production and has translated its vulnerability and poignancy admirably. Working with such a large cast is no mean feat and the combination of ensembles really showcases each student’s individual character. The stage design is simple and white plastic buckets, ubiquitous in township communities for carrying water are turned upside down and become a canvas for written stories. The buckets are internally illuminated at one stage of the production, amplifying words which are echoed in ink on the arms of the cast.
In addition to sound recordings some of the music is performed on stage by an accomplished pianist and violinist, joined at various stages by guitarist and percussionists – all students. The sage advice offered in Baz Luhrmann’s spoken word version of Mary Schmich’s column, Wear Sunscreen is one of the central tropes. Passenger’s Let Her Go and a moving rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah are just two of the tracks that will sound familiar and which acquire another level of meaning in the piece.
One thing this group doesn’t lack is talent. Individual vocalists really shone as did some of the dance soloists. It is in their unity of purpose that the spirit of the piece really works though. The camaraderie both on stage and in the video projections is tangible. These are young people grappling with suicide, sexual identity, loss, love and peer pressure. Art allows them the means to share their journey and as Singh suggests it is in sharing stories that we gain empathy.
Choreography is exquisite
Technically the choreography is exquisite and Nathan Bartman, Ciara Baldwin, Megan Black and Luke Brown each have a very individual signature which is evident. The multi-media nature of the production is an integral part of the design and the film sequences are beautiful, showcasing the natural beauty of Silvermine and Noordhoek and making innovative use of some other local landmarks.
Diversity and representation on stage, professional and amateur, are issues that the South African theatre industry and the education system are grappling with. The students’ homage to the protest in March earlier this year by Mamela Nyamza, Chuma Sopotela, Buhlebezwe Siwani, and Zikhona Jacobs may have been only fleeting, referenced by means of a photograph and a placard, but it is a clear indication that these are young people aware of the challenges facing them in their own environment who are keen to address them in the broader socio-political landscape.
Magical creativity
Prior to the closing sequence the cast is allowed more individual freedom as they each dance to their own tune for a short while. Their finale joins them again in a synchronised display of pure delight. There is something magical about watching a school hall being transformed in to a space of such creativity. This is no High School Musical but rather a tender exploration of life and how we each play a part in each other’s journey. Poet, Rupi Kaur’s words quoted in the piece stayed with me as I left the building marvelling at the vulnerability shared by each of the students on stage: “I learned vulnerability is always the right choice because it is easy to be cold in a world that makes it so very difficult to remain soft.” Meagan Miller and her cast have made the right choice.
What: Below My Feet
Where and when: Fish Hoek High School, 2 – 5 August 2017
Book: Quicket
WS
