Obsessions grow, get appeal
The Obsessions have always been at it with their critics. But since their last drama, Before Adam and Eve, they should have taken their critics seriously. <br>In this new drama, one gets the feeling that these “boys and girls†are moving towards maturity. Good enough, they brought in more exper
Play: The Legend of the Sceptor
Group: The Obsessions
Playwright: Kwezi Kaganda
Diretor: Kwezi Kaganda
Showing at National Theatre
Dates: Friday – Sunday, 2:30pm and 7:00pm
Reviewer: Emma Ssejjengo
The Obsessions have always been at it with their critics. But since their last drama, Before Adam and Eve, they should have taken their critics seriously.
In this new drama, one gets the feeling that these “boys and girls†are moving towards maturity. Good enough, they brought in more experienced dramatists like Kwezi Kaganda.
His presence on stage is more reassuring. He acts with the ease of a professional. Unlike other characters like Arthur Kibaratenda, Martin Mugonyi and Sharon, he does not sound strained. It is this that pushes the Obsessions to a lower level.
“What’s with the Obsessions and kingdoms?†Roger Mugisha (not the pastor) put it. This play, like many which have gone before it, centres on power struggles in Gongom Kingdom.
After the king’s demise, his young son, Komani (Charles Muzahura) pushes for the throne. But a few things stand in his way. He has to find the sceptre, prove the king’s death and prove that he is most eligible for the throne.
Everything seems to go his way, but anxiety blinds him when he invites the neighbouring king for coronation. The king comes along with the sceptre, and everything falls to the rightful owners.
A hunter takes the crown, an only maid is discovered to be princess and needless to say, everyone lives happily ever after. The playwright is strong on suspense. It is here that the storyline takes its strength.
The stage is colourful, the drama only nearly as colourful, while the costume is highly creative, traditional and royal.
Since the strength of the Obsessions lies in beautiful faces and bodies, you will surely fall head over heels with Princess Aliyah (Cleopatra Kyahairwa) and Kensi (Jackie). Kaimara (Kwezi Kaganda) is a true elder on stage, and it is as well he takes up the role.
The climax starts with a wrestling festival. But do the characters fit the roles? The two wrestlers, Yalama (Arthur Kibaratenda) and Kefong (Martin Mugonyi), cannot match Chinua Achebe’s Amalinze the Cat or Okonkwo. Their bodies and faces lack the toughness of wrestlers. Perhaps, it is why Kibaratenda has to cheer up the crowd with clapping.
Legend of the Sceptor is not a happy prognosis. You open your eyes to the pain of watching theatre underdogs and the joy of witnessing actors being at their best.
Many theatre lovers were optimistic that Obsessions would get better. And from last year’s pathetic performance, they only had one route to travel, upwards. That is what they are taking.
Group: The Obsessions
Playwright: Kwezi Kaganda
Diretor: Kwezi Kaganda
Showing at National Theatre
Dates: Friday – Sunday, 2:30pm and 7:00pm
Reviewer: Emma Ssejjengo
The Obsessions have always been at it with their critics. But since their last drama, Before Adam and Eve, they should have taken their critics seriously.
In this new drama, one gets the feeling that these “boys and girls†are moving towards maturity. Good enough, they brought in more experienced dramatists like Kwezi Kaganda.
His presence on stage is more reassuring. He acts with the ease of a professional. Unlike other characters like Arthur Kibaratenda, Martin Mugonyi and Sharon, he does not sound strained. It is this that pushes the Obsessions to a lower level.
“What’s with the Obsessions and kingdoms?†Roger Mugisha (not the pastor) put it. This play, like many which have gone before it, centres on power struggles in Gongom Kingdom.
After the king’s demise, his young son, Komani (Charles Muzahura) pushes for the throne. But a few things stand in his way. He has to find the sceptre, prove the king’s death and prove that he is most eligible for the throne.
Everything seems to go his way, but anxiety blinds him when he invites the neighbouring king for coronation. The king comes along with the sceptre, and everything falls to the rightful owners.
A hunter takes the crown, an only maid is discovered to be princess and needless to say, everyone lives happily ever after. The playwright is strong on suspense. It is here that the storyline takes its strength.
The stage is colourful, the drama only nearly as colourful, while the costume is highly creative, traditional and royal.
Since the strength of the Obsessions lies in beautiful faces and bodies, you will surely fall head over heels with Princess Aliyah (Cleopatra Kyahairwa) and Kensi (Jackie). Kaimara (Kwezi Kaganda) is a true elder on stage, and it is as well he takes up the role.
The climax starts with a wrestling festival. But do the characters fit the roles? The two wrestlers, Yalama (Arthur Kibaratenda) and Kefong (Martin Mugonyi), cannot match Chinua Achebe’s Amalinze the Cat or Okonkwo. Their bodies and faces lack the toughness of wrestlers. Perhaps, it is why Kibaratenda has to cheer up the crowd with clapping.
Legend of the Sceptor is not a happy prognosis. You open your eyes to the pain of watching theatre underdogs and the joy of witnessing actors being at their best.
Many theatre lovers were optimistic that Obsessions would get better. And from last year’s pathetic performance, they only had one route to travel, upwards. That is what they are taking.