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Pursued by a bear productions presents:

Footprints in the Sand

Director: Helena Bell

OVAL HOUSE THEATRE

15 April-3 May, 2008

Couzens

A review by Amber Gregory for EXTRA! EXTRA!

Footprints in the Sand is a double bill of two plays which both focus on the issues of migration, hope and identity. The evening provides a perfect combination of tragedy and humour as the writers have tackled these challenging issues in ways that juxtapose each other excellently.

LETTING GO
by Rukhsana Ahmad

Abas and Raza have come a long way and finally reached the UK. Abbas’ brother however was left behind, whilst another friend is stuck in detention. Here is yet another tragic refugee story that people need to hear. The playwright who was brought up in a world of refugee stories had this one stick in her mind which became the original inspiration for Letting Go. Theatre on issues of migration is a growing field, yet there are still so many stories waiting to be told, and so many that need to be heard. This is one of them…

Abas is tortured by the memory of his brother, who he waits for by the seafront in Dover. Raza is the wise man of the story that encourages Abas to visit their friend in detention. Abas however is too occupied with the waiting game, and unfortunately even waiting can often lead to despair and disappointment and has to come to an end some day. Feeling lost, Abas goes to the home of Prem, his old English teacher. Their relationship is an interesting one. Both live in the past, unwilling to move forward. Abas is waiting for someone who will never arrive, whilst Prem is living with a secret that she cannot forget. This play highlights the fact that no matter where we are from in this world, and what our different issues may be, they are all important. Prem may be of a higher class to Abas, and she may stress about much more trivial matters but what we see is two people who have extremely similar issues, even though they are from such different walks of life. This play puts a migrant’s story on the same level as a British national’s- this is the kind of writing that must continue to emphasise the need for equal rights. Raza is a man who oversees the situation. Rather than being a character with personal issues- he has been created as an advisor- the voice of truth and wisdom.

The set of the performance, designed by Jane Mackintosh, was a contrasting bright centre in her colourful fabrics, surrounded by grey rock sculptures. With sand littering the outskirts of the set and the constant sound of the sea with stark lights, a chilly British seaside can easily be imagined. When the scene moves into Prem’s room the lighting is warmer with a calmer atmosphere. At the end of the performance there is a climax on the beach where the sound and lighting work dramatically together to create vivid and striking images at the end of a dramatic story.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
by Oladipo Agboluaje

After an hour of emotional exhaustion the audience is then treated to an hour of slapstick comedy. This play is a wonderful way of demonstrating that migration issues can also be looked at in a humorous light whilst still touching on key issues. Two men have come from Africa to England in search for fame at (drum roll please)..... COVENT GARDEN! This is a tale of a dream where Eddie and Bode have left their families behind in search of fame and fortune (some economic migrants may sneer). Fame however doesn’t come that easily, especially in a country where you don’t even know where Covent Garden is, or which train gets you to London. Like many who come to this country these men are following their dreams, and like so many others, they are let down by how migrants can be treated by people of higher status than them whether this be by their apple picking employer or the train ticket inspector. Too afraid to speak the truth to their families who are waiting for the fortune they make to be sent home they live in a life of lies filled with unrealistic hope. The two men battle on together... and then there is a girl.... a beautiful girl to make their duo a trio...

The three actors have transformed magnificently from the first play and are unrecognisable from their former characters. The two male actors Valentine Hanson and Tosin Olomowewe are particularly sparky as their complicite, as a duo is unique. They dance and sing to woo the audience until we are laughing along with Eddie and Bode whilst still feeling a great deal of sympathy towards them. Once again the playwright has approached the issue of migration very differently from most. Many asylum seekers come to the UK as they do are in danger- but there are people who simply want a better life, and who are we not to give them this opportunity? The playwright states; ‘In the first place: Who deserves to be poor?’ and this is a theme that is continued throughout the play – ‘Why should these men not have the chance to give the performance that they dream about?

The design in this play, also by Jane Mackintosh, uses props in this performance incredibly imaginatively; umbrellas became apple trees, one box on stage is the main piece of set throughout the show, and Paven Virk plays countless characters becoming person after person simply by changing her hat. The choreography by Joanne Moven works particularly well as the two main characters dance and move whilst creating music with both ease and humour. This piece successfully manages to be an uplifting experience whilst portraying significant issues that affect the UK today.

020 7582 7680
Tickets: £12, £6 concessions
52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW
Performance Time: 19.45
Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute interval

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