MONSTERS – A DISCUSSION OF THE UNBEARABLE. Written by Niklas Rådström. Directed by Tinarie van Wyk Loots. With Michele Burgers, Elton Landrew, Ntlanhla Kutu and René Cloete. Woordfees 2023.
ESTELLE TERBLANCHE reviews
How do we talk about that which has happened, when the thought that it happened, is close to unbearable? – Niklas Rådström
A highly packed, emotional journey that is as unnerving as it is compelling, Monsters is an interrogation and unraveling process that brings to life the criminal investigation into the death of two year old James Bulger by ten year old John and Robert in 1993. As the actors repeat: it has happened, it is happening and it is about to happen. And it is unavoidable.
This bone chilling true story is recreated in a way that places the audience in double roles – both as jury members and as suspects. Suspects not of the crime itself, but of complicity in society’s deeply complacent attitude that allows violence such as this to bloom and often flourish against those most vulnerable. The main part the audience must play is to witness. And as they do, to question how one can witness and not act. Niklas Rådström’s intricate script raises questions of morality, responsibility and how we as humans can, and should, be stopping these horrendous acts from happening.
The strength of this piece lies in the powerful ensemble portrayed by Ntlanhhla Kutu, Michelle Burgers, Elton Landrew and René Cloete. Their nuanced deliveries complement each other, with nobody ever trying overshadow anybody or hog the spotlight. They retell what happened, offer up opinions, debate and sometimes even question or accuse the audience. The actors deliver much of the text in a beautifully woven narration, which stands in stark contrast to the more clinical excerpts from the court documents and records of the real interviews. These sections from the original case are actually read, with actors taking on multiple roles and often switching mid-scene. It allows a differentiation and clear shift which helps the audience view these traumatic events from a slightly detached and logical point of view – as the jury should.
Monsters a trilingual blend
The performance is a mix of Afrikaans, English and some Xhosa. One does not need to understand every word to follow the story and the message. A lot of the dialogue is spoken as a group or overlapped, often in more than one language. This is extremely well rehearsed, and the actors maintained the same volume and level. It was easy to shift ones focus from one speaker to the next, and all four were audible at all times. There is a musicality to the performance itself which is highlighted by the subtle, but unnerving sound design. One of my favourite things about this piece must be the haunting soundtrack composed by Pierre-Henri Wicomb. The impact that everyday sounds such as the hum of a speaker can have when used at just the right volume, at exactly the right time, is breathtaking.
One should also mention the simple, yet effective, use of the stage. A table with chairs for the interrogation space, a podium for the judge and for any testimonial statements or narration and a few chairs where other characters can come to life to give background, insight and context. And for the group narration the ensemble stands motionless. Initially the lack of movement bothered me, but I appreciated it more and more as the play progressed. This is a layered and heavy text, relying greatly on voice and dialogue to bring the message home. Any complex movements would have made it feel cluttered and overcomplicated. The simplicity and stillness of the blocking allows the audience time to process, to listen and absorb.
Delicate handling of a tricky and triggering subject matter
Tinarie van Wyk Loots (director, producer and stage designer) deserves credit for her delicate handling of a tricky and triggering subject matter. This play could easily be indulgent and overly emotional or too cold and clinical, but it is neither. Instead it is a clever balance of a factually retold true story, quick comic beats that both break the tension and add to a sense of unease and emotionally raw moments that truly cut deep. There is a strong shared vision that brings the piece to vivid life. The different elements of facts, opinions, testimonies, accusations and questions slowly build up until a boiling point is reached and the audience breaks.
We as South Africans are too inundated with violence, statistics and crime – we have become blunt. But while watching this play it is impossible to maintain a wall between us and the ugly reality. Because the lingering questions at the heart of this piece are: what makes someone a monster and why? These questions come tied to the realisation that both the victim and the perpetrators were children. Which leads one to ask: why would any child kill? And: could any child kill? A must-see piece of theatre – take the tissues!
What: Monsters
Where and when: Woordfees, Lückhoff High School, Stellenbosch on 10 and 12 October
Tickets: Quicket
Photographs: Stephanie Maria Gericke.
WS
