Tribal Tales Of Africa

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

The Sahara Desert in West Africa is hot, very hot. Water scarce. Shade a golden premium. Many, many years ago, so goes the story, a group of monkeys discovered the serendipitous secret of shade from the burning, hot sun. Animated, Khanda (Santemu Aakhu) tells the story of the sacred discovery. From the quiet of the theatre, a small child says “oh-h” punctuated in revelation. Shade so taken for granted in the here and now. Shade in homes, school, the malls, movie theatres, trees, and cars. Not only do we have shade from the burning sun, we have air conditioning. The significance of finding shade in the vast Sahara Desert is illusive within young minds. One small child grasped it.

Forget one moment, Tribal Tales Of Africa written by Christopher Willard and Jamie Bruss is brilliantly written.

Forget one moment, the four-member cast, including Aakhu, Missy Moore, Step Pearce, and Tyee Tilghman, executes the tales with total magnificence.

Above and beyond the awesome story telling, is the simple fact these tales do not treat children as mindless beings. Tribal Tales honors and respects children as distinguished human beings. It gives credence to minds capable of grasping concepts beyond their years, such as the significance of shade in the searing Sahara Desert sun. We can play in the sun when we want to, but there’s always a tree nearby, always a water facet or a 7-11 not far away. Scarcity of Water and shade is hardly a major concern.

Lasting only an hour, this production is so engaging, informative, entertaining, and so beautifully performed, one wishes it could go on and on. Directed by Mitch Dickman, choreographed by Kelly Kates and costumes designed by Nikki Hoof, the four just don’t tell stories. They become the story delving back before creation, as the four storytellers from northern, southern, eastern and western sections of Africa bring to life favorite tales of their regions.

They frequently ask for audience participation with pointed questions, and they get it. Each one wants to tell their story, and each one wants the audience to think theirs is the best.

Pierce grabs attention with the beginning of creation out of North Africa. For life to happen, rain was needed. Rain (Moore) admits she is afraid to fall. Thunder (Tilghman) doesn’t convince. Lighting (Aakhu) doesn’t convince. Pierce knows the audience can convince her to fall so life can begin to flourish. With everyone tapping his or her knees, Rain finds confidence to fall. Children are enthralled.From West Africa, Ntumi (Tilghman) tells the tale of Anansi, the spider, who is smart but not wise and what he has to go through to gain wisdom. Wisdom is the key to survival.

From East Africa, Zuri (Moore) describes how the lion, takes control of a water hole, instructing the animals to take conserve by taking only two sips a day, but the a wild foolish Hare (Moore) determines she is too clever for such nonsense and can do whatever she wants whenever she wants. In the process this self-imposed clever Hare learns a valuable lesson.Khanda (Aakhu) narrates the story of the Lion (Tilghman) and Eagle (Zuri) as they learn to distinguish their ruling space, and what happens when man (Pearce) appeared with his spear.

From South Africa, comes the tale of a water spirit by the name of Tokolosh, delectably played by Moore who raises all kinds of havoc with giggly delight. Tokolosh becomes the explanation for weird things happening such as pots getting broken, clean sheets getting dirty. Tokolosh is blamed for just about everything that goes wrong, much the way my lab puppy gets blamed when I can’t find something. (Good grief! Maybe Majeska is Tokolosh!)

These four must have spent a goodly amount of time at the zoo. With graceful choreography, they morph into characteristics of each animal with no question that they are and what they do.

All are accomplished actors, except one. An accomplished storyteller, this is the first time Aakhu says she has acted. Hopefully, it won’t be her last. She strongly holds her own next to Pearce, More and Tilghman — three Denver favorites.

Since some schools are studying Africa at the moment, The Avenue’s Bob Wells, indicated classes are becoming aware of the production and scheduling time to see the production.

It is Seba (Pearce) who wants the audience to choose whose story was the best, until the others remind him; they all participated in all of the stories. Rather than the audience having to decide, the four teach the audience a celebratory African dance.

Bruss has also written a study guide to accompany the production for schools. Very well written, the guide provides a brief synopsis of the tales, a discussion that can be held before the show, and questions and activities for after the show.

The study guide is also being made available to parents who bring their children. The study guide can be emailed, or copies will be available at the theatre. If your children have already seen the show, call the Avenue and ask for a copy. The study guide provides probing questions and fun activities, even for older kids, like parents.

With Africa so much in the news, these wonderfully written and performed tales add depth and understanding to the Dark Continent. This production is so magnificent one doesn’t need to have a child to go. Tribal Tales is Children’s theatre at its finest speaking intelligently to children from three to 98. Hopefully, this outstanding production is only the beginning for Alliance and the Avenue.