A Review of Ebo Whyte’s play “Takeover” Staging at the National Theatre on July 5th ,6th,7th and 12th,13th and 14th july, 2024.
SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY
The play is set in a church and tells a story of a man of God whose wayward daughter finds her way back to him after a profound encounter with God. Mary the daughter of prophet Nii Commey was once a devoted young girl who loved the lord . Following her mother’s passing , she abandons her medical studies and embarks on a rebellious path feeling abandoned by God.
The play addresses themes of corruption and bribery within the church ,the inhuman nature of man, and the unconditional love of a father. With its dramatic start and joyful conclusion, the play can be characterized as a melodrama. The use of dramatic devices like suspense and conflict kept the audience engaged until the end .
This review will critique the acting ,sound and light,costume and makeup,set and props audience participation and finally score the performance over 10. This critique is based on the performance for the first night only and as such comments for other nights will not be highlighted in this post.
Starting with the acting, I must say that the cast delivered an exceptional performance , showcasing their impressive acting skills that completely immersed me in the world of the play. The opening scene for instance which featured Angel and Keebab was simply amazing . Their powerful vocal performances and song choices perfectly graced the tone of the production. Their on-stage chemistry was undeniable , and their comedic timing was impeccable.
Mary’s character was particularly compelling. She grapples with grief ,anger and feelings of abandonment . Her journey back to faith ,facilitated by her father’s unwavering love is a testament of the power of redemption and forgiveness. I particularly loved her energy, her switch (Transition ) from the bad girl we all saw at the beginning of the show and then to the good girl we saw at the end of the performance was mind blowing.
The dynamic between bishop freeman and Bishop Onassis was equally compelling,portraying a relatable relationship between a young pastor and his mentor. I particularly love Bishop Onassis posture he took throughout the play, the way be walked though funny and usual of real life pastor, that said a lot about the kind of man of God he is. I must say these two ate their role and left no crumps .
The angel who guided the church demonstrated an impressive physical endurance and control, maintaining a convincing angelic posture throughout the performance .
i was equally impressed and captivated with the host of angels beautiful heavenly vocals. The healing scene was a beauty to behold and got me almost in tears and fear . Except for the dance segment which i felt was not well coordinated , i love every bit of that scene
Apostle Nii commey’s performance was truly exceptional . Showcasing his impressive stage presence , he gracefully showcased his dance moves and captivating charisma communicated his essence. I loved the manner he called out for Mary, that gesture registered how much he loved her. It was beautiful and a sight to behold.
Talking of Pastor JJ was nothing but beautiful to watch on that stage. I just have to admit that he completely ate his role and left no crumps. His scene with Mary where he professed his love for Mary captivated me, he completely won my heart with his performance.
With the technical issues, i have come across impressive sets this theatre season, but this one stands out for me . With reference to its simplicity and beauty. The set designer did a remarkable job by creating a minimalist set yet harboured an effective environment that particularly complemented the story. In other words, the set contributed greatly to the meaning of the story. The use of colour was noteworthy, particularly in Apostle Commey’s office where the couches added a pop of colour and Great color combination. However, i had a mixed feeling about the mini poster banner of Apostle Commey in the blue dress at the entrance to the office . Though it’s a nice touch, i feel that a more prominent and dignified display would have been more fitting for a character of Apostle commey stature.
Before I forget, one minor character Abrewa Nana did extremely well.
Though i appreciate her presence on stage in particular I feel like her role made no impact whatsoever to the play . To me that scene was added to prolong the story. With or without her scene , the play would have made perfect sense . Nevertheless her acting skills were top notch ..
Costume
The costume design and makeup artistry in this production are truly praiseworthy . If the production house created all the attire worn by the cast , then they deserve accolades for their exceptional work. Every outfit was impeccable . It had standout pieces like the Angel’s office wear and Mary’s stylist which added to the characterization even after her character transformation.
The make up artists also deserve recognition for their skillful work particularly with Bishop Onassis grey hair and makeup which added depth to his character .While Pastor JJ’s makeup could have been more convincing, the decision to keep the plaster on his head after the bandage was removed was a nice touch.
Light And Sound
The sound and lighting design for this production were truly enchanting, setting the tone and maintaining our engagement from start to finish. While the sound was occasionally a bit too loud, the overall effect was mesmerizing. The healing scene where Mary encountered the Lord was a highlight , with the sound and light chemistry to create a truly magical moment left me with goosebumps and on the verge of tears. Such a great display of theatrics. I appreciate the thoughtful balance between light and the sound in the scene, with neither aspect overpowering the other . Congratulations to the lighting and sound designers for their exceptional work in bringing the director and playwright’s vision to life.
Music and dance
The music and dance was just on point. The choice of songs for every scene was remarkable . Every song chosen graced the scene and carried great significance. The songs of the late Ghanaian astute Gospel musician KODA which were played and sung really influenced the mood .
Audience engagement
As i arrived at the theatre , i was astonished to see the car park filled to capacity at 6:57pm. I wondered if all these people were there to watch the production , and my doubt was soon dispelled as the theatre filled up. The first night turnout exceeded my expectation and i was impressed by the audience’s enthusiastic participation throughout the performance . At one point, during the scene where Bishop Freeman and Bishop Onassis shared a drink and cake, i heard a whispered comment from behind”they’ve poisoned each other ” which although a bit predictable ,demonstrated the audience emotional investment in the play. It was heartening to see the audience fully engaged , and i applaud the production team for creating an experience that resonates so deeply with the viewers
I’ve watched comic plays where the audience gets tired along the way but this play was different .. almost everyone wanted more. The whole auditorium was filled with laughter. And I’m glad the actors didn’t get carried away to play to the gallery. I say congratulations to the production house for putting smiles on its audience’s faces,
Conclusion
In conclusion ‘takeover‘ is a beautiful, simple play that resonates with everyone . The simplicity of the play and how the actors brought the script to life is truly applaudable . With its powerful themes , impressive performance , and effective performance and design element , this production is a triumphant masterpiece. I will score this production 9.5 ./10 with only minute challenges which will only take someone who pays attention to details to notice. Overall , ‘Takeover’ is a must see for anyone who loves great storytelling and outstanding theatre.
Written by Miriam Afoley Laryea, BA Theatre Arts,UEW.
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