Monday, August 06, 2007

This Evening

This evening I went to my first show in the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe - Flesh.

slave traders
steal a boy from his village -
darkness falls.

Through song, dance and drama, Flesh explores the personal stories of David an African slave in eighteenth century London, the people he meets and their opinions about slavery. The stories are powerfully moving, but ultimately hopeful. Parallels with current issues are clearly, but subtly drawn. It's a very energetic production with excellent performances, dancing, singing and drumming from the young cast and muscians, though the acoustics and straining spoken performances mean that some of the narrative is lost.

Flesh is on at St John's Church, Lothian Road, 7.30pm, 7-11 August. £7/£5.


Evening for One Deep Breath.
I've posted another evening haiku on Crafty Green Poet.

12 comments:

Clare said...

Powerful haiku, Crafty. Today I just finished reading an article about Ishmael Beah and his story of being forced to be a child soldier in Sierra Leone -- he wrote a book about his experience called "A Long Way Gone." Your haiku reminded me of him and all the other boys (girls too) separated from their families and forced to do and endure unimaginable things. The Flesh show sounds like it was really good, and I like the combination of song, dance and drama.
:)

Anonymous said...

Powerful haiku.

Slavery continues today in all corners of the world.

Greggo said...

'darkness falls' says it all. it's almost incomprehensible to a civilized mind, the horrors that some people still have to endure in this world. :-(

Plain Foolish said...

Powerful, so powerful. So sad.

Sherri B. said...

So heartbreaking...you said so much with just a few simple words.

Regina said...

Sometimes artistic renderings are the only way issues of such magnitude can be out out there for everyone... I am glad it told such a powerful story as did your haiku...

Giggles said...

Very Powerful! I feel my goose bumps. Sadly this issue needs to be constantly addressed, more impact needs to be felt. Your words are moving! Wonderful job....I won't soon forget them!

Hugs Sherrie

Rae Trigg said...

I love the way you linked evening with the slave trade. Your haiku took my breath away; a powerful image.

Tumblewords: said...

Powerful lines. I enjoyed the review on the artistic venture, as well. The subject indicates that we humans are slow learners.

spacedlaw said...

I like the unsaid words in that haikus, which is full of shadows.

Mimey said...

so many shades of evening in your clever haiku

Anonymous said...

I've never had much success with haiku & always admire those that can make them work. This one provides a wonderful synopsis of the story - & even without the account of the play, the narrative communicates.