Synopsis of the play
“4 Guns Catwalk” is a captivating stage play written and directed by Faiba Bernad. The play recounts the story of four female arm robbers – Rukia, Chellia, Wrama, and Dinna – who embark on a robbing spree based on orders from an unknown man named Bobby. Unbeknownst to Chellia, Wrama, and Dinna, Bobby is revealed to be Rukia’s boyfriend, and they plan to elope with the stolen money and diamonds after killing their accomplices.
The play explores themes such as betrayal, sisterhood, friendship, corruption, and bribery within the police system employing dramatic devices like alliteration, metaphor, and pun. The melodrama is engaging and thought-provoking.
This review will assess the players acting skills, set design, lighting and sound, costume and makeup, audience participation, and provide an overall rating out of 10
“4 Gun Catwalk” is a breath of fresh air. Witnessing action scenes typically reserved for films being portrayed on stage is simply amazing and worthy of applauds as this feat was made possible by the talented cast.
The opening scene, which introduces the four robbers, was exceptional. The actors’ handling of guns was impressive, making it easy to forget they were just acting. Each robber (Rukia, Chellia, Wrama, or Dinna) brought a unique presence to the stage, collectively delivering an outstanding performance. The ladies truly embodied their roles, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Special mention to Wrama, who impressively maintained her character throughout the play despite being bullied the most. Detective Bobby also delivered a commendable performance, showcasing a clear understanding of his role.
Omari, on his stage debut, played his part well, with no evident signs of nervousness. Bewtyfull, on the other hand, was a distraction – not just to Bobby but to the audience as well. Her physical presence commanded attention, and she didn’t need to do much to capture it.
The police officers played their parts as expected, without bringing anything particularly new or exceptional to the table.
Set and Props
Given the stage’s limited size, I didn’t expect an extraordinary set design. The setting of the play wasn’t immediately clear, but the characters’ mention of a warehouse helped clarify. The props in the robbers’ room slightly aided in identifying the set.
Costume and Makeup
Considering the casts, they chose their own costumes, they did an impressive job. I appreciated the simplicity of the costumes, which remained largely unchanged throughout the play. The robbers’ costume colors effectively conveyed a sense of sophistication, implying they were no ordinary robbers. However, I felt Bewtyfull’s character would have benefited from more glamorous makeup, given her refined nature
Lighting and Sound Design
Kudos to the lighting and sound designers for their outstanding work! Although the play started 31 minutes late, the soothing music played during the wait was a nice touch.
The lighting design effectively used dimming to seamlessly transition between scenes. The sound cues were impeccable, making the action scenes even more believable, particularly the gunshots in the opening scene and the fighting scenes.
Audience Participation
I was particularly impressed by the playwright’s clever use of language, incorporating playful rhymes that added a delightful touch to the dialogue. I appreciate how the audience was engaged throughout the play. The cast successfully took the audience along , creating a more immersive experience. Overall, I’d give “4 Gun Catwalk” a solid 8/10.
Written by Miriam Afoley Laryea, BA Theatre Arts,UEW.
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