EDUCATION PACK 2020 Thanks to our supporters 2020

BLACK LOVER CONTENTS BLACK LOVER

Introduction Cast Interviews P.04 P.24

Auckland Theatre Company receives principal and core funding from: Synopsis Design P.06 P.28

About the Setting Post-show Activities P.10 P.38

About the Playwright Resources and P.16 Additional Reading ATC Creative Learning also thanks the ATC Patrons and P.39 the ATC Supporting Acts for their ongoing generosity Themes - Religion & Beliefs P.15 ATC Creative Learning P.40

Supported by our university partner - AUT Sir Garfield Todd P.18 Curriculum Links P.41 Director’s Process P.22

Venue: Q Theatre, Loft 350 Queen Street, Auckland Please note School Matinee: Thursday 19 & 26 March and Thursday 2 April at 11am Running Time: 75 minutes, without an interval Photography or recording of any kind is strictly prohibited. • Post-Show In the theatre immediately after the performance • Eating and drinking in the auditorium is strongly discouraged. Forum: (15 – 20mins)

• Please make sure all cell phones are turned off. Suitability: This production is suitable for Year Levels 12 & 13 Advisory: Contains sexual references and descriptions of violence • Please don’t bring school bags to the theatre.

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CAST Garfield Todd — Cameron Rhodes Steady — Simbarashe Matshe

CREATIVE Playwright — Stanley Makuwe Director — Roy Ward Set and Costume Designer — Rachael Walker Lighting Designer — Rachel Marlow Sound Designer — Sean Lynch

PRODUCTION Production Manager — Andrew Malmo Company Manager (Maternity Cover) — Nicole Sarah Technical Manager — Sean Lynch Stage Manager — Catherine Grealish Technical Operator — Spencer Earwaker Props Master — Ruby Read Set Construction — 2Construct

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

ATC CREATIVE LEARNING Associate Director — Lynne Cardy Youth Arts Coordinator — Mile Fane Teaching Artists — Matthew Kereama and Catherine Yates Education Pack Writer — Billie Staples Education Pack Editor — Lynne Cardy Contributions by Stanley Makuwe Production designs courtesy of Rachael Walker Graphic Design — Wanda Tambrin Production Images — Andi Crown

2 3 2020 2020 BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER INTRODUCTION He believed that blacks were as In his Introduction to the play, equally capable as whites. This Stanley Makuwe writes: did not go down well with fellow In 1934, New Zealander Garfield whites who labelled him a “traitor” Todd arrived in Zimbabwe (then and a “black lover, “resulting in him Rhodesia) from New Zealand as being abandoned by his whites- a church missionary. He ran the only cabinet. Dadaya New Zealand Churches of In the ‘60s, a new government Christ Mission school and a led by Ian Smith arrested him and clinic where he and his wife, threw him in a prison for blacks. Grace, delivered hundreds of black He was later placed under house babies without any formal medical arrest. training. Todd then got caught This two-character play focuses up in the political wave that on the period when Garfield Todd gripped the small African nation, was under house arrest, the war winning an election to the colonial raging, his family away in Rome parliament in 1948, and then rising for his daughter’s wedding, while to become its prime minister in he was confined to his house with 1953. At the time, the country was his black helper/servant. The play under white minority rule. Black is a historical piece which focuses Africans were not allowed to vote, on race relations in a war-torn and education opportunities were African nation while it looks at limited. one man’s fight for freedom and Todd introduced modest equality in Africa. Though based on reforms aimed at improving the true events, the play is not meant education of the black majority, “... the story remains relevant today to rewrite historical facts as they directing tax-money from white happened, but it is the writer’s as the world fights to eliminate racial property owners and British own imagination of what could colonial authorities towards have been happening in Todd’s discrimination, human rights abuse black schools. He also increased confined and outside surroundings, the number of blacks eligible as well as the mental turmoil of and slavery in favour of equality, to vote from a mere 2 percent being in such an environment. freedomSTANLEY MAKUWE and justice.” to 16 percent of the electorate.

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BLACK LOVER Note: Contains spoilers. This synopsis is intended for use after you BLACK LOVER have seen the show, to recall key events. SYNOPSIS

Garfield Todd is alone in his living should go back to his village, the electricity has been cut. As Steady suggests Todd should room on his ranch (Hokonui) in before admitting that he is alone the tension builds outside, Steady return home – to New Zealand. former Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). His in the house and his family are in talks more about his outrage over Tension rises between them as cook, Steady, arrives. He’s escaped Rome for Judy’s birthday. Steady the murder of Tamuka and his son Todd insists that Hokonui Ranch is a roadblock on the journey from comes up with a plan to reunite but Todd doesn’t want to discuss his home. Another phone call, this his village, and out of breath he the family - they should all go to it. He feels unwell. Steady wants to time from an official in the Smith recounts that he witnessed the Rome to surprise Judy and he will get the local doctor, but Todd tells government. Todd is furious with brutal assassination of a village bring the birthday cake! him he’s not allowed any contact the man and when he puts the man by government soldiers. He Todd finally admits that he is with blacks. The phone rings again, phone down Steady insists that says he got away from the soldiers under house arrest and cannot this time its Todd’s wife Grace. they should now leave the ranch. and their dogs by ‘letting his air leave the ranch, or even make We learn that Todd was to make a Steady tells Todd that Ian Smith’s out’ in his underwear. phone calls. He can only receive speech to the Queen about what soldiers killed his brother’s best Todd calms Steady and then them. The sound of gunfire is the crown must do in the face of friend, and then his brother fled to tries to get him to leave, but he heard. Todd insists that Steady the inequalities in Rhodesia. and Mozambique to become a freedom is set on cooking for Mr Todd, joins him for cake and tea, despite that in his absence Judy will deliver fighter. As the gunfire increases Madam Grace and ‘little pikinini’ Steady’s protest that he can’t have it. As gunfire rages outside Steady and night draws in, the two men Judy - their daughter. He has tea with his boss, they talk about reassures Todd that the black man drink together. brought gifts for the family, the racial inequality around them will win the war and he sings a A freedom fighter arrives at handmade by his mother. Todd and their different beliefs; Todd’s in hymn to Zion in celebration. Todd the door demanding blankets accepts them graciously but insists God and Steady’s in his ancestors. joins in. and food which Todd supplies. that he should go, until Steady The phone rings and Steady Steady then takes on the role Steady disappears and talks to the reveals that the man killed at the listens as Todd talks to Judy. of the Queen and insists that man, returning fired-up. Steady roadblock was the son of Tamuka, Steady is shocked to learn that Todd present his speech. Todd and Todd’s conversation grows the headman of his village – who his boss – the ex-prime minister - reluctantly does so, and at the end more heated. Steady leaves in a was also killed recently. cannot leave the ranch to join his Steady – as the Queen – declares fury, and then returns - shot in Todd says he is worried for family in Europe. More gunshots “I Free Africa!” Todd is slightly the stomach. Todd tries to save Steady’s safety, and insists he are heard, and Steady discovers disappointed with this reaction. Steady’s life.

6 7 8 BLACK LOVER 2020 2020 2020 BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER ABOUT THE The action takes place at Hokonui Ranch, Garfield Todd’s home in the SETTINGShabani province of Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. BACKGROUND TO THE CONFLICT Liberation—was a civil conflict In 1888, Cecil Rhodes obtained from July 1964 to December a concession from local chiefs 1979. The conflict pitted three for the mineral rights over the forces against one another: land that became Southern the Rhodesian white minority- and Northern Rhodesia (now led government of Ian Smith; Zimbabwe and Zambia). In 1889 the Zimbabwe African National the area was placed under the Liberation Army - the military wing protection of the British South of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African Company. Southern African National Union; and the Rhodesia was formally annexed by Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary the United Kingdom in 1923, and as Army of Joshua Nkomo’s a self-governing colony was ruled Zimbabwe African People’s Union by a white minority government until independence in 1980. INDEPENDENCE In the 1960s the Government In 1976, after years of sanctions of Ian Smith was unwilling to and guerrilla activity, the Smith move towards black majority rule government finally agreed and instead issued a Unilateral in principle to majority rule. Declaration of Independence from Zimbabwe received independence the United Kingdom on the 11th on the 18th April 1980, with November 1965. In the 1960s there Robert Mugabe as Prime Minister. were more than 200,000 whites Twenty out of the 100 seats in the living in Zimbabwe and about Parliament were reserved for the seven million blacks. white minority. The current population of THE RHODESIAN BUSH WAR Zimbabwe is estimated to be The Rhodesian Bush war also 14.86 million of which an estimated called the Zimbabwe War of 28,732 are white (2012 census).

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ideas that he wanted power Todd had servants at his ranch and balance, so having a character in his house. But none of them was BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER like Steady represented what I named Steady and none of them visualized about Todd’s fight for behaved or acted like Steady. equality. Steady the character is imagined and is meant to push Todd out The action takes place in real- of his comfort zone. By comfort time and is set in one room. What zone, I mean, Todd was a giant of dramatic techniques did you a man, well-spoken, never used use to show what was going on, swear words, never used any bad outside the room to heighten the language, but now here he is with ABOUT THE tension or build the atmosphere? a character who pushes him to Sound is the main factor. talk about sex and women and There are sounds of gunshots bull balls. All this was deliberate to interrupting them time and again. enhance the action on stage. PLAYWRIGHTStanley Makuwe was born in Black Lover? Then we have sounds of footsteps. 1972 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. He I have always known Garfield Todd Then we hear voices outside. Tell us about your process as a grew up in rural Shurugwi and and his work in Africa for almost There are also sounds of birds to writer. How long did it take to has lived in New Zealand since all my life. But I realized that not represent the bush around the write Black Lover? 2002. He won Zimbabwe’s 2016 many people in New Zealand knew house. Gunshots were a regular Writing the first draft was easy. National Art Merits Award for his about him. I also saw that his fight occasion at that time even in I didn’t spend much time on it. I play, Chimbwido, Girl of War. for racial equality would be a story Todd’s ranch. His home was in the would say it took me about two He was Shortlisted for the 2012 that would connect with race middle of a thick bush, so all that is weeks. But the re-writes have Adam New Zealand Play Award for issues today. felt through sound. taken about two years. We had Footprints on Ika’s Heart, and the workshops and readings, resulting 2011 BBC International Playwriting The relationship between Garfield In your introduction you say, in so many re-writes and changes. Competition for The Coup. His Todd and Steady involves power “the play is not meant to The process is still ongoing during plays have been staged in New play, is that a deliberate comment rewrite historical facts as they the rehearsals. Zealand and Zimbabwe, featuring on the power shifts in Rhodesia/ happened…”, but can you clarify, at the Harare International Festival Zimbabwe at the time? is it a true story? What do you want the audience of the Arts (HIFA) in 2012 and 2017. Yes, this was a deliberate move. Todd’s story is a true story. His to come away with after seeing He juggles family life with theatre When I thought of Steady’s house arrest is a true story. His the show? and his full-time job in psychiatry. character, I didn’t want to have fight for race equality in Zimbabwe My main goal was awareness. a character who was passive and Africa is a true story. His love I wanted Kiwis to be aware of one We asked Stanley Makuwe about and looking up to the “white for Africa and the people is a true of their own heroes. All they talk the inspiration behind the play, saviour.” I wanted a character who story. He lived and walked among about is Sir Edmund Hilary, but writing about real events and had something to give, hence I us and participated in our African New Zealand is more than just celebrating unsung heroes. deliberately played with power practices. the works of Sir Edmund Hilary. What inspired you to write shifts. I also thought of Garfield’s Is Steady real or imagined? Sir Edmund Hilary conquered

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a mountain. How about a man our younger generation to be named Todd who conquered race educated about this great man. inequalities? The second goal was Another thing that Kiwis take

BLACK LOVER to open discussion on race issues. for granted is how much they BLACK LOVER Race and gender issues have been contributed to the freedom of on top of discussions for years others, especially Africans. I would in the past and will always be in love to see Kiwis feeling proud years to come. So, for me I would of what they have given to other want my audience to come out parts of the world despite being reflecting on themselves in terms such a small country with a small of race relations in New Zealand. population. I remember a headline This country is very multicultural, in a newspaper that said, ‘AFRICA and we really need to reflect on LOOKS UP TO NEW ZEALAND FOR ourselves in terms of how we FREEDOM.’ How many Kiwis know relate to each other. I want my about this and feel proud about it? audience to feel inspired by Todd’s fight for racial equality. I also want

TALKING POINTS

1. Makuwe describes Black Lover as “a historical piece which doesn’t rewrite historical facts as they happened but is the writer’s own imagination of what could have been happening.” What does he mean by this? Were there elements in the play that seemed more imagined than ‘real’ and why? What connections do you make with this play and other plays/films/TV you have seen?

2 Makuwe has three aims for the play: promoting Todd to New Zealanders, opening discussion of race issues and encouraging kiwis to be proud of their contribution to freedom internationally. Can you recall any specific moments in Black Lover where these ideas were explored? What was happening on stage in those moments? How did the moments affect you as an audience member?

14 15 2020 2020 BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER THEMES - RELIGION & air from my stomach to chase As the play progresses Steady soldier and dog away.” becomes more adamant about BELIEFS And later, in the scene, when his views on Christianity, calling In Black Lover, the characters’ Of the various tribal groups Steady compares his ancestors to church a ‘black man’s death trap’. contrasting beliefs are the cause that make up most of Zimbabwe’s Todd’s God: Tension between the two men of misunderstandings, tension and population, the largest(over rises when he argues that he comic confusion. 70%) is the Shona people - a doesn’t need to go to church to Garfield Todd originally came Bantu ethnic group native to absolve his sins, saying that if a STEADY: to Zimbabwe (then southern Southern Africa. A prominent white man shot him right now God No, Mr Todd. Rhodesia), as a Christian belief amongst Shona people You ask ancestor, would “…feel sorry for me and put missionary. As witnessed in is in a ‘dual world existence’ in ancestor talk to God. me in Heaven, right next to His big colonial societies all over the which they can connect with the chair. White man go to hell.“ world, missionaries failed to dead and their ancestors through TODD: The dialogue illustrates the connect with traditional beliefs, mediums. The musical instrument Jesus died for our sins. divides in their religious beliefs and undermined and alienated the Mbria, for example, connects and makes an important comment indigenous people from their tribes to the ancestors who can STEADY: on the dark mark Christianity has spirituality. Although Todd was change the weather, scare away Jesus die, left on colonised lands. While a champion of black rights, we harmful spirits and cure sickness. ancestor die. Same. their differing beliefs lead to continually see this lack of spiritual People also believed that the misunderstandings, the spiritual understanding between him and positive happenings in their lives TODD: connection between Todd and Steady in the play. were because of their ancestors, No. They are Steady also brings them closer When Steady praises Todd’s likewise they blamed them for not the same. together, for example when they achievements by comparing him their shortcomings. Jesus is alive. sing the hymn to Zion. to God, calls him a prophet and We can see a connection In Heaven. Today in Zimbabwe Christianity claims that he raises people from between Shona people’s spiritual is the prevailing religion and there the dead (after he saved a man beliefs and Steady’s when he STEADY: are African Initiated Churches or from a fire), Todd is at first amused explains to Todd how he called to Ancestor up in Independent Churches - a hybrid then increasingly offended by the his ancestors for help to escape sky watch you. of Christianity and traditional comparison. the roadblock; “Ancestor send bad spirituality.

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SIR GARFIELD TODD Born in 1908 in Invercargill, Sir limited. Todd introduced modest and ‘black lover’ and abandoned 1980 and the nation became the Garfield Todd arrived in Zimbabwe education reforms, redirecting by his whites-only cabinet. independent state of Zimbabwe, (then Southern Rhodesia) in 1934 tax from white property owners Out of parliament, Todd became Todd was appointed to the new with his wife Grace. Together, and British colonial authorities increasingly alienated from the Senate for his collaborating role. they ran the New Zealand towards improving the education white minority government and But after many years of supporting Churches of Christ mission school of the black African majority. His joined forces with black African Mugabe, Todd became disillusioned in Dadaya, alongside a clinic government put in place a plan nationalists critical of Prime with the new regime’s violence where they delivered hundreds of to provide elementary education Minister Ian Smith. When he against its political opponents babies and treated minor injuries. to every African of school age, applied for a visa to lead a teach-in and in 2002 he was stripped of Todd was caught up in the doubled the number of primary at the University of Edinburgh to Zimbabwean nationality. political wave that gripped the schools and gave grants to mission educate the British public about In 1986, Todd was knighted small African nation in the 1940’s, schools to introduce secondary the inequities of white rule, the by Queen Elizabeth 11 at the winning an election to the colonial and pre-university courses for Rhodesian government placed him instigation of the NZ government. parliament in 1948, and rising to black African students. under house arrest. During his retirement Todd become Prime Minister in 1953. At But it was his move to increase One of the teachers at the donated 3000 acres of his ranch the time, the country was under the suffrage of the black African Dadaya mission soon after the to former guerillas who has been white minority rule, black Africans majority from 2% to 16% of the Todd’s arrived in Zimbabwe maimed in the Bush War. He were not allowed to vote, and electorate that inflamed his fellow was a young Robert Mugabe. died in Bulawayo, aged 94, on 13 educational opportunities were whites. He was labelled a ‘traitor’ When Mugabe came to power in October 2002.

18 19 20 BLACK LOVER 2020 21 BLACK LOVER 2020 22 BLACK LOVER 2020 mix of humourand drama. characters thathooked meand the the dynamicbetween thetwo importance. Butreally it was really knowing his story orhis Invercargill. Iknew of him without and Garfield Todd was bornin because Igrew upinSouthland I was intrigued straight away (a new playby another writer). I’d doneonanotherproduction to mebecauseheliked the work a little. He brought anearlydraft because Iknew the writer, Stanley, through to rehearsal. from earlyscript development play, and what hehas discovered how hegotinvolved with the process of directing BlackLover, Director Roy Ward talksaboutthe PROCESS DIRECTOR’S All new plays are bothexciting I was attracted to thisscript rehearsed reading of theplayand it, Idirected a workshop and Company committed to producing play.Beforenew Auckland Theatre rehearsals. This iscommon forany development process andin changes to thescriptduring move, every gesture isimportant. characters inasmallspace -every tension (and release). It’s justtwo that we get therightbuild-upof played outasfullypossibleand between thosetwo characters are subtle shifts orstatusandpower is to make sure thatallthe of ourtalented cast. A challenge characters come alive inthehands most exciting isseeingthe what you’ve got.For me, what’s untested -you never quite know and challengingbecausethey’re There have been lotsof the landscape looklike? How hot the world of theplay(Whatdoes project, which hashelped fillout brought theirown research to the pre-production thedesignteam Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. And thenin and thepoliticalsituationin when Iread aboutGarfield Todd during thedevelopment stage, Lover little dialoguecutsandchanges. needed butthere have beenlotsof are often where themost work is the script.Beginningsandendings focus was on editingandhoning room forthefirst week andour had Stanley with us in the rehearsal period (as we knew it would). We to evolve duringtherehearsal way andthescripthascontinued Stanley madere-writes alongthe In preparation to direct Black Ididlotsof research. mostly audience. watching BlackLoveran with familiarity with the script. from that,thebestpreparation is Rhodesia andEdinburgh?). Apart is thetimedifference between Todds’ have intheirhome? What kind of garden flowers would the an unexpected question(e.g. what a rehearsal moment will throw up researching now -usuallybecause a director does.But we’re still the mostimportantpreparation rehearsals soinasensethat’s can startseveral monthsbefore place indesignmeetings which look andfeelof aproduction take wear? etc). clothes thecharacters would is it?How doesthataffect what Now I’m lookingforward to A lotof bigdecisionsaboutthe 23 BLACK LOVER 2020 2020 2020

“There is an African philosophy BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER called ‘Ubuntu’ and it roughly CAST translates to “We are who we are During rehearsals Billie Staples talked to Cameron Rhodes (Todd) and Simbarashe Matshe (Steady) about making connections with their because of other people.” characters, the challenges of their roles and the lessons we can learn Simbarashe Matshe fromINTERVIEWS Black Lover.

CAMERON RHODES SIMBARASHE MATSHE What excites you about this play? How do you prepare? Cameron Rhodes is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: Born in Zimbabwe, Simbarashe Matshe found New Zealand Drama School. He has appeared in his love of theatre and the arts at a young age. Simba- The thing that excites me Simba- I’ve been researching the more than 90 productions, many with Auckland After emigrating to New Zealand, he spent most most about this play is that it is set life of Sir Garfield Todd as well as Theatre Company, including in the role of of his formative years in Wellington before in Zimbabwe, or Rhodesia as it was the Rhodesian Bush Wars which Harold Wilson in The Audience, and roles in Mrs eventually moving to Auckland to pursue acting. called then. Being from Zimbabwe went on from 1964 through to 1979. Warren’s Profession, Lysistrata, Black Lover is Simbarashe’s second production myself, it’s exciting to see a story I’ve also studied the Zimbabwean The Importance of Being Earnest and Mary with Auckland Theatre Company, having being told of my people and place accent which of course came Stuart. Screen roles include the magistrate in previously played the role of Walter in Filthy of birth. easily thanks to family and friends the much anticipated The Luminaries for BBC Business (2018). He has also featured in screen who have still retained their Two, the lawyer Jonathan Krebs in In Dark Places projects including Frontiersman, Ash Vs Evil Cameron- It’s fantastic to work on accents since leaving Zim. and Farmer Maggot in The Lord of the Rings; Dead, Mortal Engines and AFK season 2. a new play, that has never been also, he has appeared in Rake, Blue Murder seen before in a full production. Cameron- I read the play a lot and Home and Away in Australia. Cameron is a I love the fact that it is both a NZ before rehearsals start and do founding artistic board member of The Actors’ and an African story and is based research on the play’s setting, in Program drama school where he teaches on real events. It has a lot to say this case Southern Rhodesia in the regularly. He also directs theatre, and coaches about race relations, colonialism 1960’s. As I’m playing a character voice and presentation skills in the corporate world. He divides his time between New and beliefs now, in 2020, even based on a real person, I also find Zealand, Australia and Los Angeles. Cameron though it is set in the mid-1960s. out as much as I can about him has been an active and proud member of Equity through books, newspaper articles New Zealand since 1988. and documentaries.

24 25 26 BLACK LOVER 2020 if Icould give himasinglepiece war thatisraging around him, but He isnotableto escapethecivil a situationthatisn’t of hismaking. character who hasbeenthrustinto because we are talkingabout a Simba- This isadifficult question, give your character? What piece of advice would you Todd was inthethickof it! It was acomplex situationand rights hasbeen very enlightening. had hisranch and foughtforblack stories of thecountry where Todd there someof thetime. To hear rehearsals, especially with Stanley education hascontinued through play before rehearsals started. This researching thebackground of the I learntanenormousamount beforeon working Garfield Todd, orRhodesianhistory Cameron- Iknew nothingof moves forward. and more evident astheplay mind. However, itbecamemore It didn’t immediately cross my bloodshed canhave onaperson. complex effects war andconstant Simba- I’ve beendiscovering the character inrehearsal? the world of theplayoryour What are you discovering about Black Lover. real circumstances. We want to is afictionalscenario, basedon into 75minutes of Todd’s life.It is anintense “slice of life” glimpse within theplay’s framework. This Todd isinthisplayandbetruthful Todd, butIneedto inhabit who essence. There is video footageof to imitate himbutcapture his always interesting! I’mnottrying Cameron- Playingareal personis throughout theplay. which thankfully we getto see However, hehaslayers to him quite expressive andinyour face. servant. He isaman who canbe like acaricature of apre-colonial real, without makinghimfeel balance of makingSteady feel Simba- Findingthedelicate this story? the biggestchallengeof telling taking onyour role of Steady? Or What isthebiggestchallenge system. KiaKaha, Mr Todd! man who hada very strong belief Todd was anunusual,headstrong Cameron- Stick to your guns! and tryto wait outthecivil war. would beto stay with hisfamily since thatisn’t possible forhim,it family andmove far, faraway. Now of advice, it would beto take his black nation. The playexplores a white maninapredominantly original country of birth,he was though, asRhodesia wasn’t his rights of others. It is complicated brave man, who stood upforthe a timeof change. Todd was a play explores amomentintime, countries. This many African in over ablackmajoritypopulation ofimmigrants wereruling white a few years agoasmallgroup It isincredible to thinkthatonly and fightingforequality. human relationships, beliefs,race Cameron- This isaplayabout people”. are who we are becauseof other and itroughly translates to “We African philosophycalled‘Ubuntu’ in this world alone. There isan one another, that we can’tsurvive things. It teaches usthat we need who ultimately want thesame colour orcreed. We are allpeople all human,No matter ourrace, Simba- It teaches usthat we are what canitteach us? Why isthisplayimportantand in conflict. Steady, as well asanoutside world relationship between Todd and setting. It is very muchaboutthe be trueto the world of theplay’s keep theaudience engagedand

or yourself too seriously. change is vital. Don’ttake thejob so flexibility andbeingopen to career hasnoclearstructure, Stay grounded, asactinga and focus,meditationhelpsthis. to starttheday with centering work-life balance! It isimportant Cameron- Make sure you manage - trustyourself. Goforit. you really want to bedoing.If itis quickly if theactinglifeis what and what itreally entails.Findout ask questionsaboutthebusiness with anolderactor who you can mentor. Try andassociate yourself what otherpeoplethink.Finda different andplay, don’t worry learn. Takerisks. Trysomething The more you failthemore you school. Don’tbeafraid to fail. acting classorgoto anacting Simba- Learn thecraft; joinan give yourself asayoung actor? What piece of advice would you in thehere and now. about ourown race relations inNZ provoke discussionandreflection the playstillexist now and will Many of theissuesraised in who isanative of thecountry. boss andSteady hisblackservant, relationship of Todd the white this complexity through the 27 BLACK LOVER 2020 2020 2020 BLACK LOVER BLACK LOVER SET AND On the first day of rehearsal set designer Rachael Walker introduces the set model to the assembled company and talks about how she and COSTUMEthe team developed the design in order to bring the outside in. As director Roy Ward notes, which Rachael says informs the the play is in some ways very colour palette of the room. conventional, it is set in one room The image will be printed on the and must have furniture. However, timber walls to give it an organic, from the beginning the design team tactile surface, rather than a glossy wanted to incorporate the world effect. The red earth tones also outside, the African landscape and reference the bloodshed going on the civil war. outside, and also the sunset, as Rachael sees the landscape as most of the action of the play takes a ‘vital third character’ and says place in the evening and into the the challenge was to integrate night. “something quite stylized into a Rachael likes the juxtaposition naturalistic setting and script”. of the African landscape and the As Todd is under house arrest, colonial elements in the room, Rachael wanted to ensure the the gabled angles and traditional set was confined and almost skirting board on the walls, and the claustrophobic, hence the contained heavy wooden furniture. The floor is floorplan set in a black void. also printed in earthy tones. She also wanted to bring the The walls are broken up in three outside in, without resorting to sections throughout the space windows. She found a photograph to give entrances and exits to the from a wildlife reserve in other rooms mentioned in the play. Zimbabwe to use as the image for When the characters exit they do the landscape outside Hokonui so into blackness. The masking Ranch. Whilst the image is from has been perfected so that they an area 400 kilometers north of seem to disappear when they the actual location, it contains leave the living room. This is used many of the same features of to both comic and chilling effect the landscape; including the red throughout the play. parched earth and the cattle,

28 29 30 BLACK LOVER 2020 costume choices. black Zimbabwean workers of thetimeto inform using documentaryimagesof Garfield Todd and earth colour palette inthecostumes, as well as there are nocostume changesinvolved. play are uncomplicated andnaturalistic andthat Roy notes thatthecostumes inthistwo-hander COSTUME Rachael says sheisplaying with thesamered 31 BLACK LOVER 2020 32 BLACK LOVER 2020 amplifying therealismamplifying of thesetting. thedialup’as ‘turning onthesenseof danger– play, andRachel describesthechangeinlighting Roy says this will bequite astrong shift inthe will become increasingly ominousandshadowy. with more danger present outside,thelighting then, astimeprogresses andmoves into dusk, to helptheaudience connect to thecharacters, states of time.It will startinastrong brightstate plays outthelighting will reflect thechanging Designer Rachel Marlow says thatasthestory LIGHTING 33 BLACK LOVER 2020 34 BLACK LOVER 2020 conclusion. the playprogresses towards itsbloody of naturalism into aheightened state as These sounds will intensify moving out war raging outsideinto Todd’s livingroom. explosions and helicopters to bringthe recorded soundeffects of gunfire, Sound designerSeanLynch will provide SOUND 35 BLACK LOVER 2020 36 BLACK LOVER 2020 • • • • • TALKING POINTS recorded voice offstage? What was the playwright’s intention? What was theeffect of having thefreedom fighter represented by a notice abouthow theactors performed inthislight? How did thelightingchangeasplayprogressed? What did you resolve thechallenge of bringingtheoutsidein? Consider your own setdesignforthisplay. Describehow would you challenges? does thedirector needto consider? How have they overcome those What challengesdotheactors face onthisset? And what challenges How effective isthesetdesigninconveying the world outside? 37 BLACK LOVER 2020 38 BLACK LOVER 2020 the play. CHARACTER ONE CHOOSE play. the in used sequence dream or stage split puppetry, movement, DRAMATIC THE CHOOSE CONVENTIONS most? you remember that it about it you. was What confused that something or you enjoyed, something be you. could It for ABOUT THINK ACTIVITIES POST-SHOW • • • • • • • • • Describe the character. character. the Describe it? you use would how and you choose play, this might in what conventions any other to you were use If narrative. the supporting in had they purpose what and used were conventions the how Explain play. this in director the or writer by the used were that conventions the of alist Make character. the for change significant the to illustrate technique that used actor the how explain and list your from technique one Choose (Voice, Space). Body, Movement, Drama of Techniques the used actor the how of alist Make had seen the play? you after change reaction that Did you reacting? around people other were How moments. to these you responded how Recall you. for out stood that moments specific or images characters, the of alist Make How would you describe the play to a friend? to afriend? play the you describe would How the performance you have seen and recall what stood out out stood what recall and you have seen performance the who went through a significant change in change asignificant through went who such as direct address, dance, dance, address, direct as such READING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND Ngara* and Marion Porath, University of British Columbia British of University Porath, Marion and Ngara* giftedness of views Zimbabwe’s of culture Shona mbira_shona_spirit.html http://www.zambuko.com/mbirapage/resource_guide/pages/music/ https://www.guruve.com/african-art-culture/shona-sculpture/spirit-world/ http://weaverpresszimbabwe.com/reviews/151-garfield-todd https://www.britannica.com/biography/Garfield-Todd https://minorityrights.org/country/zimbabwe/ https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/zimbabwe-traditions.html FURTHER REFERENCES id=1501119&objectid=12313922 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_ https://www.nzartsreview.com/ here: play the of reviews Read READ https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hokonui-todd-1991 Hokonui Todd is a documentary about Sir Garfield Todd: https://www.facebook.com/TheATC/videos/127282905325797/ scenes: the behind apeek And https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=182669506493291 show: the for atrailer Here’s WATCH , by Constantine , by Constantine

39 BLACK LOVER 2020 40 BLACK LOVER 2020 LEARNING LEARNING CREATIVE ATC ENCOURAGING ACTS OF IMAGINATION curriculum development, literacy, and the Arts. on focuses which and students Auckland of education Arts the supports that programme popular and exciting an delivering on afocus with region Auckland greater the throughout students school secondary with contact ATC direct has Learning Creative place. to take imagination of acts foster that thinking of habits encouraging we are skills new learning or aplay, work, anew creating unpacking we are Whether practitioners and audiences. theatre young to nurture designed programme education arts innovative and acomprehensive is It educators. tertiary and secondary for aresource as acts and theatre in participation and teaching encourages and ATC promotes Learning Creative they have seen. have seen. they theatre live about to write – AS91219, students Level 3–AS91518) require (Level level 1–AS90011, each Level at 2 examinations external NCEA The work. of course their in drama Zealand New of inclusion the 13) require 12 and 11, to years 8(equivalent 7and 6, levels Curriculum Context. in Arts the Understanding work, course their of apart as theatre live experiencing be (Years 9to 13) should students Drama school secondary All levels. three all at standards achievement NCEA the of many to relevance have direct also They 5to 8. levels from NZ Curriculum the of strands CI and UC PK, to the directly relate ATC activities Education LINKS CURRICULUM 41 BLACK LOVER 2020 MYTHMAKERS

TOURING THEATRE

Mahuika! by Amber Curreen Directed by Whetu Silver Touring to schools May – June 2020 Contact us to find out more.