Makeda Solomon (left) and Leonie Forbes - Contributed Alma MockYen, Contributor
There was a full house in the small theatre, in spite of the fact that there was no slackness in the 90-minute 'one-acter' written in standard English.
There was neither foul language nor risqu jokes. Marsha Norman's 'night Mother is a professionally crafted play on an unusual theme, with two virtuoso roles for two expert actresses.
Producer fabian thomas (he spells it with common 'f' and 't') is to be complimented on a production that paid attention to timing and accuracy of detail, for example, water really flowed from the kitchen tap, and when the refrigerator door was opened, we saw the light come on realistically. There was no intermission, but so enthralled were the onlookers that no one needed to go.
Tour de force
The production benefited from the expertise of actress Leonie Forbes whose performance was a tour de force often witnessed on the local stage. Her characterisation of the constricted Mother 'Thelma' was superb. As the tribulations of her dysfunctional family unfolded, Forbes became the emotional chameleon the role demanded, shifting from voice to voice and nuance to nuance in a totally believable and absorbing way.
Makeda Solomon, who played the epileptic, suicidal daughter, was challenged by her role, which was every bit as difficult and complicated as the mother's. Solomon did a commendable job within a limited range and in my view fell just short of excellence.
For example, the list of 'to-do' items she was preparing as a guide for her mother following the suicide became a repetitious recitation lacking the tension of a mind intent on the extreme violence of self-destruction. Daughter 'Jessie', therefore, lost the audience's sympathy somewhat, while her mother 'Thelma' drew tears for her plight and confusion.
One hopes that the Creative Production and Training Centre or another recording entity got permission to videotape the production. It is, after all, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning play - and Forbes gave a memorable performance that should be recorded for posterity.
