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| Darian Upshaw in Statements.... (Dave Hastings) |
Statements After An
Arrest Under the Immorality Act
Theater Schmeater
Through August 12, 2017
A production of the Athol Fugard play, Statements After An Arrest Under the Immorality Act, is a kind of must-see production. It reminds that there was a time not that far in the past
where intermingling and romance and sex between folks of different shades of
melanin were declared illegal. This happened in South Africa with national laws,
but also in the United States in various areas.
The play includes an even more difficult emotional situation
because Errol Philander, a "colored" South African is married when he
sneaks into the local library at night to meet librarian, Frieda Joubert. His
immorality is doubly deep, in that aspect. Once the couple is arrested, they
expose to community judgment both themselves and his family.
The local production, directed by Emily Harvey and Jordan-Michael Whidbey, starts out in almost complete darkness. Darian Upshaw and Amanda Rae play the two lovers and start out appropriately naked.
They discuss their lives and their feelings. They chose to do the play in South
African accents (assisted by Marianna de
Fazio), which they carry off pretty credibly.
Upshaw is particularly good at both the accent and the
rhythm, and he demonstrates how very intelligent Errol is. Errol is erudite,
well-read, and thoughtful about life and philosophy.
Rae and Upshaw do a solid job in these difficult roles. Due
to the lack of light, Rae’s diction becomes a bit of an issue. She sometimes
speaks a bit quickly and quietly. But her commitment is very apparent and she
invests fully in the role.
The couple’s love is complicated and uneasy. They are afraid
and guilty, even just because they are sneaking around behind the backs of his
wife and family. The extra fear is of being arrested. And of course they are
arrested.
Chris Shea plays
the by-the-book policeman and the lighting, designed by Dave Hastings, flashes like photographer-flashes, periodically, as
the couple scramble to put some clothes on. They are forced to confront their “transgression”
and to detail the history of their relationship. It is a cringe-worthy activity
that no adult should ever have to go through.
The subject matter resonates today almost as strongly as it
did when Fugard wrote it in 1972. Love and sex are always strong motivators.
The overlay of race continues to challenge people’s assumptions, and in today’s
more overt racist society, due to the “Trump effect” or whatever you want to
label it, couples of different skin tones are getting harassed more often and
more openly than even a year or two ago.
Kudos to the Schmee for doing the show. I hope to continue
to see more challenging and political work there
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