Out of Africa

On one side there will be theatre. On the other, music. The evening of October 26 will be a treat for any culture vulture. Called 2+4=7, this is a collaboration between the six-member Chronic Blues Band and theatre group Rafiki.
"We''re hoping that theatre will strengthen people''s social commitment and responsibility," says Rafiki director Anish Victor.Rafiki will present a three-hour concert of theatre and music and will perform a South African political satire `Woza Albert!'' and two other short performances.
Rafiki''s USP is in their post-production interaction, "where we talk to the audience and raise relevant questions and issues. Our objective is to interact with youngsters by questioning and not by criticising them," says Victor.
Rafiki recently performed the same play at the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Prithvi, Mumbai. "The play was written by a black south African musician-actor and a dancer and directed by a white. They got the idea for the play when they overheard two women talking about what would happen to apartheid in south Africa if Jesus was to come there."
This performance will be directed by Hartman deSouza, who has been working in association with Rafiki for many years. "He has very strong African roots. And also closely connected to the issue of apartheid is that of communalism. Both of us felt that young people are faced by the danger of being reduced to puppets." Therefore the need for such a play.
Sandwiching the theatre performance will be a heady mix of blues, reggae, soul and jazz played by The Chronic Blues Band. The concert will be staged at Trans Indus, the experimental village off Kanakpura road. Donor passes available at Super Market (Brigade road) and all Casa Piccola outlets.