Anthem of Life: Part 1
A Zulu Inspired Play
“The Gods create humans, but some insist it was not wise, and that the new creations must be destroyed!” reads the introduction of Anthem of Life. Opening on June 19 in Alberta Avenue, the first play of the Anthem of Life trilogy follows humanity’s struggle of belonging on Earth.
Eight years in the making, Anthem of Life Part 1 is an adaptation of a Zulu epic poem, brought into an epic play by Edmonton playwright Tololwa Mollel. It interweaves African-style storytelling with Odissi dance, live Hindustani music, choral speech, and animation of Zulu-style God-masks and creatures, to create an unforgettable story.
At its centre, this play is a Zulu creation myth. Featuring a back-and-forth debate of whether they should empower or destroy humanity, it shows the trials and triumphs humans experience because of this cosmic debate.
The epic poem that inspired the play, titled Anthem of the Decades, was written by Mazisi Kunene. “My fascination with Anthem of the Decades, and inspiration decades later to adapt it, grew out of my introduction, eons ago, to contemporary African literature and oral literature and poetry,” says Mollel, “its narrative and poetic power and Kunene’s incredible facility with language captured me.”
“I found in it a union of the best aspects of Shakespeare and the Mahabharata, with a cosmic scope worthy of the best science fiction,” adds Mark Henderson, artistic director.
This play is African-centred with universal messages for everyone: following the trials and triumphs of the human condition. “The [Anthem of the Decades] story’s universality within a very specific Zulu nature, inspired me to see Anthem of Life on the stage,” says Henderson.
“The storyteller’s art and that of the actor-performer” helps influence Tololwa Mollel’s performances, as described on Theatre Prospero’s website. He also uses audience engagement, acting, and purposeful use of props, costumes, movement, and song to aid in his storytelling.
Production will be done by Theatre Prospero and the stage will be welcoming the Anthem of Life Part 1 with a rainbow ensemble to perform this inclusive piece of “new Canadian Classical Theatre,” (Theatre Prospero). A rainbow ensemble is a diverse cast from different cultural backgrounds. This play is performed by a cast of local, national, and international performers.
“In preparation for Part 2 and 3? A wonderful journey, despite – or perhaps on account of – not knowing the destination,” says Mollel. Currently, there has been no announcement on the rest of the trilogy.
ANTHEM OF LIFE
June 19 to July 6
Alberta Avenue Community Centre
Tickets: theatreprospero.ca
Pay-what-you-can: 7:30 pm on June 26 & July 2
The playwright is one of Canada’s and Alberta’s most admired creators. A great person. I will definitely see this first play in the trilogy.