The beauty of theatre is that it is the perfect medium to start a conversation. Something about the audience and the actors being so close, lends itself to promoting discussions about sometimes difficult topics. And this is exactly what William & Mary’s production of Katori Hall’s Our Lady of Kibeho does. The play explores what happens when three Rwandan school girls—Alphonsine, Anathalie, and Marie Claire—see apparitions of the Virgin Mary. As the staff of the school, and the Catholic Church, question the authenticity of the girls’ visions, the visions become graver, ultimately resulting in the girls having a vision of the genocide in Rwanda. While this horrible event may not seem pressing in present day, Our Lady of Kibeho serves as a reminder of why it is important to stand together in opposition to the divisions that try to break us.
Alana Canty-Samuel, ’18, and the company of Our Lady of Kibeho.
The first thing you notice when you arrive at the show, is the two large walls that comprise the set. Whether this is a commentary on the walls that divide us, or simply a way to provide a background for the video and projection elements, can be debated, but they serve their purpose, moving to illuminate the stage with the light of the apparitions. The walls also serve as the location for the stunning visual that ends act one, a visual that is worth the price of admission alone. Throughout the show, the actors work to transform the stage from the priest’s quarters, to a girl’s dormitory, and even a confessional. These scene changes, in which actors carried props and set pieces onto a darkened stage, grew tedious after a while, but were necessary given the permanency of the large walls. Throughout the show, video and projection elements were used to communicate new settings, but also provide visuals to go along with the visions experienced by Alphonsine, Anathalie, and Marie Claire. Using the projections to show both the beauty and horror of what the girls were seeing, was a unique choice to add another element to the show, and a choice that paid off.
From left to right: Myriam Samake, ’20, Horace Smith, and Xavier Soto-Burgos, ’20.
Also impressive was the company of actors bringing this show to life. Across the board, the actors were strong, displaying control over the extensive dialogue, and showing mastery of the dialect. It was especially impressive to see the students hold their own with Horace Smith, the professional actor who portrayed the Bishop and Nkango. Standouts among the student actors included Alana Canty-Samuel, ’18, who portrayed Alphonsine, and Xavier Soto-Burgos, ’20, who portrayed Father Tuyishime. Canty-Samuel was able to capture the innocence and purity of Alphonsine, without her coming across as too young or immature. Canty-Samuel was also able to balance the heaviness of the show, with several comedic moments, showcasing her impeccable timing. Soto-Burgos, responsible for carrying some of the heavier moments of the show, displayed great emotional range throughout, but really came to life in the final scenes, as the Church deals with the fallout of the girls’ apocalyptic vision.
While the William & Mary Theatre Department has never backed down from tackling shows with difficult subject matter, Kibeho, with its sensitive subject matter and religious themes marks a departure from their typical fare. By presenting a play this substantial and meaningful, William & Mary Theatre is encouraging us to have those tough conversations; exactly what theatre should do. Our Lady of Kibeho runs through Sunday, October 8 at Phi Beta Kappa Hall. Click here for ticketing information.
Photos courtesy of Geoff Wade