A REVIEW OF KOBINA ANSAH’S PLAY IN THE PANT OF A WOMAN, STAGED AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE ON JULY 20, 2024.
Synopsis of the play
In the Pants of a Woman is a well-crafted musical dramatic piece written by Kobina Ansah. The story follows a young radio host in her early thirties, Miss Darko, who has dedicated her life to fighting for rape victims and giving them a voice in society. However, Miss Darko finds herself in a difficult situation when her boss, Mr. Zomelo, rapes her. As the story unfolds,Miss Darko receives the compensation offered to her in order to pay her mother’s hospital bill and keep silent over what happened or end her life? The play addresses various aspects of rape discourse, including victim blaming, jokes made about the subject of rape, and the harmful culture of silence. It also addresses other social issues such as suicide, corruption, and bribery and the pollution of water bodies as the result of illegal mining. The dominant literary devices in the play include allusion, symbolism, and metaphor.
This write up will critique the acting, sound and lighting, music and dance, set design and props, costume and makeup, and finally score the play over 10.
Acting
With the acting, as an actor, you’re expected to convey a message to the audience, and the only way to deliver that message as it should is when you understand the role you, as an actor, are playing. In other words, you must internalize the role you are playing. With what I witnessed, I must say that all the actors on this project understood the assignment. The opening scene of the play was amazing. The group dance and song welcoming the audience to the world of the play were just a perfect start to the show. The chemistry between Miss Darko and Adizah was beautiful to watch. They are like friends backstage, but when they are on air, they are professional. The contract is really interesting and adds depth to their characters. I must say Adizah played her role well. My only issue has to do with when she sings; I could barely hear the lyrics. Thankfully the lyrics were projected so as to save the day.
Miss Darko was the central figure in the play, and while she delivered a solid performance, I yearned for more depth in her portrayal. I wanted to see how her pain and vulnerability fully resonate with her character, but I felt somewhat restrained. Her anger towards Mr. Zee was contagious, but I craved more intensity and emotion. Nevertheless, she demonstrated a clear understanding of her role and executed it well leaving a lasting impression.
Mr. Zomelo did an excellent job bringing the character to life; his physical presence and demeanor perfectly captured the essence of the role, and his delivery of lines was impressive. Especially considering the number of lines he had. His performance was convincing and engaging, making him a compelling and memorable character in the play.
Kussiwaa is also a fantastic character, and the actress who played her did an outstanding job. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of her character, but as the story unfolded, her performance really shone. The fact that she was an inspector was a great surprise, and it made sense why she carried herself with such confidence and authority. With Kussiwaa’s flashback scene where she recalls her sister was incredible and powerful. She conveyed the emotions and the pain of losing her sister with such vulnerability and authenticity that it was hard not to feel moved to tears.
Desire, Kussiwaa’s sister equally did an amazing job. The way she danced to tell her story was beautiful. She didn’t exaggerate her moves, yet it was beautiful to watch, and it added emotional impact to the scene.
Dr. Ray’s role in the play serves as a comic relief, providing a much-needed respite from the seriousness of the themes explored. His subtle humor and natural delivery were effective in eliciting smiles from the audience without feeble forces or over-the-top. The storyteller was phenomenal in carrying the narrative forward, engaging the audience with his words, and delivering his lines with such grace and conviction. His ability to command attention and convey the emotional depth of the story was truly impressive. The way he wove his words was nothing short of enchanting, making it easy to become fully invested in the story.
Nyarkoa Amissah was amazing to watch; she conveyed fear without appearing broken, which for me was a powerful choice. Her singing also conveyed the depth of her emotion. However, I wish she hadn’t sing, not because she doesn’t have a great voice but because her acting was so impactful that I feel her scene would have been more effective without the singing. Her presence on stage was captivating, and her acting skills are undeniable.
The sergeant character had potential, but I felt he leaned too much into comic relief. While his stage presence was appreciated, I would have preferred him to maintain a more auhoritative tone consistent with his role as a sergeant rather than veer into comedic territory. His lines and delivery often felt more like a comedian than of a sergeant this so detracted from the characters impact.
Technical Aspects
Set
The set for this production was simple yet unique. However, I felt that Mr. Zee’s office was a bit too minimalist. Considering his character, I expected his office to be more exaggerated and reflective of his personality. Adding a few more chairs or embellishments would have enhanced the space and better suited his showy and boastful nature. On the other hand, I loved how various plaques were strategically placed on the table, effectively conveying Mr. Zee’s pompousness. I love how all the cast make use of all the props provided to them and those on stage.
Costumes
The costume and makeup departments deserve praise for their excellent work. I love the use of African fabric. It added a lovely touch to the play’s overall aesthetic. It was equally a great way to celebrate African culture and heritage in a work setting as such. The red stain on Desire’s outfit, indicating she had been raped, was a powerful and convincing detail. The makeup for all the cast members was also exceptional. However, I wasn’t too sure why the storyteller was made up; it became noticeable when he started sweating. Nevertheless, the attention to detail in both departments effectively enhanced the overall visual impact of the play.
Sound and light
The sound and light department completely won me over! The sound effects and music during Kussiwaa’s flashback scene were simply breath-taking. The way the sound design complemented the music perfectly captured the emotional intensity of the moment, effectively conveying the message without any distraction. I was impressed by how seamlessly the two departments worked together, never overpowering or interfering with each other. It was clear they put in a lot of hard work and dedication to create a truly immersive experience.
The music and dance were an absolute highlight. I was impressed to learn that all the songs were originally written by the playwright himself, which is truly commendable. I loved every song, and they played a significant role in storytelling, perfectly complementing the narrative. The songs were skillfully woven into the script, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene. The player’s talent for music and storytelling is undeniable, and I appreciate how the songs added depth and soul to the performance.
In the Paint of a Woman is a beautiful play, so I was expecting a large crowd since the play had already run a month ago, but I was disappointed. The few that showed up however were amazing audience. I thought I was the only one trapped in the world of play until I saw another lady sharing tears. Another audience demanded that the ladies beat Mr. Zee up, which is what I was waiting for, but that did not happen until the play ended
The play is a masterpiece, beautifully crafted. I love the setting of the play, the themes, and the subject matter. I recommended that the playwright and his team showcase this beautiful piece across the various secondary schools across the country. In the pant of a woman is indeed a world, not for another and while you blame the shortness of her skirt your evil actions remember you have a sister , mother and daughter . Remember that what goes around comes around . To those who have been raped ,suicide is never an option. You will only perpetuate an endless chain of pain if you end your life. you are not a fault;don’t blame yourself’. I rate this play 8.5/10
Written by Miriam Afoley Laryea, BA Theatre Arts,UEW.
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