In his director’s notes, Robert Parsons says of My Children! My Africa!, now playing at The 222 in Healdsburg through Feb. 22, that “this play does not lecture.” Which is an interesting statement considering the L.A. Times quoted the play’s author, Athol Fugard, as saying of this play, “Youth in any country, especially the U.S., can’t just sit back and expect things to change. You all have to become political animals.”
The play follows Mr. M (Ansley Valentine), an idealistic Black high school teacher in Apartheid South Africa, who proposes a hopeful idea to unite youth. He creates an integrated debate team consisting of his star pupil, Thami (Isaac Addai), and the star debater from a white school, Isabel (Emma Lenza). However, revolution is in the air.
The script could be poetry in its exactness of word choice and intensity of emotion. Addai gives a controlled, believable performance. His Thami is a quiet, reflective young adult on the cusp of painful lessons, both personal and political.
Lenza has a difficult role. Isabel calls for an acute situational awareness at all times without falling into suspicion. Lenza’s Isabel doesn’t quite reach the tauntness she deserves, but she also never gives in to any lesser motives, giving a compassionate performance throughout.
Valentine is a powerhouse of an actor with an amazing voice, who has found all of Mr. M’s passion. However, there is no respite from the passion in his portrayal, and being hit with it from every word is exhausting as an audience member.
The play works well on The 222’s stripped stage. Ansley Valentine’s precise set design, Robin DeLuca’s stark lighting, Maris Whitmore’s cohesive sound design and simple costumes by Adriana Gutierrez create a perfect minimalism that allows the play’s big ideas, rather than theatrical trappings, to fill the space.
Fair warning that this is the sort of play to which audience members will want to bring tissues. It is not a fluffy play by any means, forcing its audience to listen carefully and think deeply about difficult topics. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with the conclusions, it’s an important play to experience. There is a reason that Athol Fugard is considered one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century after all.
Yes, this play lectures. But lecturing isn’t a negative.
‘My Children! My Africa!’ runs through Feb. 22 at The 222, 222 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. $45-$105. Students free with ID. 707.473.9152. the222.org
