JAM EVERY OTHER DAY. One-woman show. Author: Emmaleen Kriel. Adapted by Erika Marais and Celia Musikanth. In association with Constantiaberg Amateur Dramatic Society. Masque Theatre.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
Everyone has a unique story to tell – it just depends on whether they consider it worth recording for others’ reading. Dutch immigrant, Emmaleen Kriel considers her unconventional life rearing six children is, so she wrote and published Jam Every Other Day.
For staging purposes Celia Musikanth and Erika Marais have reworked Jam into an 80 minute one-woman show, with Marais acting out Emmaleen’s story with warmth, humour and some pathos.
Emmaleen’s memoirs begin in war-torn Holland – her evacuation; her affectionate relationship with hosts Miep and Harm; returning post-war to her mother, her mother smiling, waving goodbye as Emmaleen takes a train to visit Miep and Harm. She doesn’t recall a reverse journey.
Next, we meet Emmaleen in Cape Town. She’s 18, madly in love with 23 year-old Geoff and about to give birth to their first child, Chanda. Penniless, an unexpected R100 gift pays all medical fees and also includes a decent meal. They even manage to buy an old 1963 tjorrie.
Love for life
It’s Marais, replicating Emmaleen’s enthusiasm for life, that carries Jam. Emmaleen’s story is not particularly new or different. There are many women giving their families a grand life on love, pap, hand-me-downs and jam every other day – with little support from a father figure. But it’s Emmaleen’s positive approach and love for life in rural Constantia and migration to Knysna forest, that gives Jam value – as does the family’s closeness to nature.
Her children learn to care by looking after their farmyard animals. There, geese (Martha and Arthur), Bimbo (the sheep), Chappie and Gussy (the horses) rule the roost alongside old Adam. Formally uneducated, Adam’s boundless knowledge of Knysna’s flora and fauna forms the basis of the children’s unorthodox education. One which local school teachers have problems relating to.
On stage, dotted here and there, a few props and pieces of furniture set the picture of Emmaleen’s humble life. As does her unmatched peasant skirt, pumps, blouse and belt. It’s Marais’ vocal variety and ever-changing facial expression, that portray the characters influencing Emmaleen that tell this story well. Particularly amusing are coming up against the twins’ teacher, and conversations with her children. Somehow she succeeds in giving a personality to each person.
What Jam Every Other Day tells us is that living unconventionally can lead to a rewarding life.
What: Jam Every Other Day
Where and when: Masque Theatre 20 April at 8pm, 21 April at 2.30pm, 6.30pm
Book: 021 1788 1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za
WS
