Synopsis
Where Two or More Women Are Gathered is a family-friendly play written by Nii Commey, set in a pub and centered around the lives of three remarkable women—Caroline, Kissiwaa, and Bikini. The trio, once schoolmates and friends, reconnect after many years. Caroline, known for her high standards and unwillingness to date men beneath her social class, finds herself engaged to an older man at 37. Having reached an age where she feels time is running out, she decides to settle, realizing she may have been too selective in her youth.
The play explores themes such as love, friendship, and a woman’s ego. Although the story focuses on Caroline and her friends, it also features three men who play significant roles: Apuu, the bartender, who we later learn is a wealthy man disguised as a simple barman in search of love; Akupalee, the older man Caroline gets engaged to; and Baron, the young banker who has long pursued Caroline.
This review will focus on several theatrical elements—acting, set and props, lighting and sound, makeup and costume, and audience participation—and finally, offer a rating of the play out of 10.
In my previous reviews, I’ve often expressed how much I appreciate actors in comic plays because comedy is a tough nut to crack. When it’s not executed well, it can leave the audience frustrated. So I must applaud this cast for a job well done. The ladies, in particular, complemented each other beautifully, and each character stood out in her own way.
Kisiwaa, the calm and steady one among the trio, was a joy to watch. She nailed her role with a quiet yet firm presence. I loved how she didn’t rush her lines, making every word count.
Bikini, on the other hand, brought the insanity to life. She fully embodied her character and delivered an unforgettable performance—she left no crumbs! She understood her role and played it with such finesse. Her lines felt more like songs, and the melody in her voice was simply beautiful to listen to.
Caroline was simply amazing. You didn’t need to be told she was the snobbish one in the group—her presence alone spoke volumes about her character.
Then there was Akupalee, who was breathtaking in his role. I particularly appreciated the casting of a shorter actor for this part.Akupalee’s character reminded me of Kojo Ansah’s iconic performance in one of his movies.
Baron was another standout. The role of an unwanted lover suited him perfectly, and he carried himself with the polished demeanor typical of a banker. His refined English added authenticity to the character. Finally, Apuu was fantastic! He kicked off the play with an infectious energy that carried through until the very end. I loved how effortlessly he played the role. When he revealed his true identity, his transition from a humble bartender to a wealthy man was seamless and convincing.
Set and Props
The set was beautiful and simple, but I wasn’t too pleased with the tree backdrop or the color scheme chosen for the set. While I understand it was pink October, I feel the set designer should have taken the world of the play into greater consideration before choosing the color palette. The play is set in a pub, not a candy shop for kids, so the Pink and violet colors felt a bit out of place. That said, the props complemented the set aesthetically, and I loved how Apuu and the other actors handled them with ease.
Costume and Makeup
Kudos to the costume and makeup departments! The choice of colors for each actor’s outfit was beautiful and well thought out. The costumes didn’t look cheap, which was fitting since the ladies are portrayed as well-to-do characters. The makeup perfectly complemented the costumes, enhancing the overall look. I did, however, expect a more exaggerated or wild look for Bikini, especially in the first scene, but even without that, her attire still worked well within the context of the play.
Sound and Light
The sound department has quite some work to do. I’m not sure why the actors’ microphones were still on while they were backstage, but every conversation they had was heard by the audience, which was quite distracting. The lighting also missed a few cues, particularly during the scene where Apuu proposes to Kisiwaa—the lights were supposed to dim, but they didn’t. On a positive note, I loved the choice of songs used throughout the play, though there were some delays in playing them, and at times they were cut off abruptly.
I believe the audience was well-served, as the laughter and applause throughout the play clearly indicated. Comparing the attendance from last year to this year, it’s evident that a lot of effort went into the publicity, and the turnout was very encouraging. Congratulations to Nii Commey and his team for a successful production. I rate the play 8/10.
Written by Miriam Afoley Laryea, BA Theatre Arts,UEW.
From your detailed Reviewers (0272138148)