Nelson Mandela: a name which evokes admiration from many, adoration from some and certainly respect form all. Here was truly a great man. His journey from lawyer to revolutionary top political leader who taught racial reconciliation and human rights for all has been the subject of many books and programmes. And now it is presented as a musical.
Or is it? Madiba The Musical purports to be a celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela; and although we are warned by The Narrator (David Denis ) at the beginning that there will be gaps in the story, it becomes confusing as to what the story is. Is it Mandela’s life and fight? Is it the story of those people around him (including Peter Van Lenden)? Is it a Romeo and Juliet story? Is it the story of South Africa’s sufferings? By interval, I was still unsure where we were going and why. It is a very shallow rendering of Mandela’s story.
This shallow and insincere storyline is dogged by a libretto which pulls its musical identity very, very strongly from Broadway and Disney. I counted only four musical numbers which in any way reflected the music and rhythms of South Africa – or even of Africa as a continent.
The cast give it their all – their passion and commitment is complete and authentic but they are struggling with a script and score which is wholly inadequate for the story they are telling. Perci Moeketsi gives a rather reflective Mandela – the script does not allow him to appear as more than a figurehead. When he is allowed to speak, it seems to be selections of his speeches cut and pasted into script. His Invictus is delivered powerfully but comes too late in the story. Tim “Timomatic” Omaji gives a solid Sam Onotou but it seems that the story might be his. As the Van Leden who has the melodramatic epiphany Blake Erickson’s tenor voice serves the production beautifully.
The women are the power in the show. With virtually no decent script to work with, Ruva Ngwenya as Winnie Mandela and Tarisai Vushe as Sandy Xulu take control of the show with the absolute command of their voices and their acting. They should have been the narrators – it would have given the show a far more interesting and meaningful framework. And might have been more engaging than the rap and breakdancing of Denis, which sits oddly in the great man’s story. Madeline Perrone is reasonably sweet as the white love interest of William (a capable Barry Conrad) but the addition of their story seems ad hoc. Surely fleshing out Winnie’s story would have served the production better? She was such an integral part of Mandela’s story and indeed, her own story is a fascinating one.
The musical takes part upstage. There was a whole third of downstage – at the front – never utilised. It remained in the dark and so did we about why it was never used. If it was because this is a touring show with set pieces and choreography, then this is just lazy directing. Actually, most of the production elements failed to impress: the blocking, transitions, choreography, design, unnecessary set pieces and costumes. A touring company fit their show to the space, not ignore it. Mandela’s story is a salutatory one, an inspiring one; this became a New York rapper’s interpretation of events. A musical about a great black man for a white audience.
French white men have written and directed and produced this show. I am wondering just how completely Mandela’s writings were read and speeches listened to. Why, of all people, they thought they could adequately tell this story “is a puzzlement”.
No doubt it will be lauded because it is about Mandela. But he deserves a better tribute.
Kate Stratford – On The Town
Madiba The Musical
Music & Lyrics By Jean-pierre Hadida & Alicia Sebrien • English Co-adaptors Dylan Hadida & Dennis Watkins
Book By Jean-pierre Hadida & Alicia Sebrien
1 – 18 Nov 2018
Thur – Sat 7:30pm
Sat 6pm
Tue & Wed 7pm
Sat Matinee 1:30pm
Wed matinee 1pm
Sat Matinee 1:30pm
Venue: State Theatre
Theatre Company: DIRECTED BY PIERRE-YVES DUCHESNE & ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR DENNIS WATKINS
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY MICHAEL TYACK • CHOREOGRAPHY BY JOHAN NUS
Duration: N/A
International critics have hailed it as ‘a story that touches our hearts’ ‘magnificent’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘fascinating’.
The powerful and uplifting Madiba the Musical is a soul-stirring celebration of the visionary leader Nelson Mandela. The epic show pays tribute to the charismatic icon and activist whilst exploring the struggles, racial conflicts and divisions behind his unyielding crusade for reconciliation in South Africa.
The show about destiny and desire springs to life with vigour and heart, and looks to forgiveness beyond the hate.
It is a story of forbearance, passion and hope in the fight for a brand new world of modernity and freedom. With its pulsating African dance, strident and haunting drama, stunning visuals and inspiring songs, Madiba the Musical is a unique theatrical experience to lift our spirits.
“The best show about my grandfather” – Ndaba Mandela, Paris Match (Nelson Mandela’s Grandson)
Ticket Prices
Adult $80.49 – $110.99
Concession $80.41
