DURBAN writer and director, Verne Rowin Munsamy, is known for tackling social issues through his writing.
In his latest production he takes on disability, in particular dealing with people who are hearing impaired.
In an interview with Tonight, Munsamy said his Slipped Through My Fingers is a play about a mother/daughter relationship that tries to survive discrimination.
Written and directed by himself, the show is choreographed by Sivani Chinappan and stars Chinappan and Cindy Naidoo Baijoo, who is hearing impaired.
The play looks at the turbulent relations between a mother, who has forsaken her daughter because of her difference and now, some years later, has returned to try to make amends. The dialogue is spoken through sign language, poetry and classical Indian dance.
“We take it for granted that when we speak, everyone can hear us. We live with people with differently abled bodies every day, and we will never fully understand what it is like, living in a world where one of your senses doesn’t function. I think that like other politics, the politics of the differently abled body are just as important.
“I have watched family members find ways to live with differently abled bodies, and sometimes it is an arduous task, and these stories are important ones to tell. It takes a special patience to raise a child with special needs and to those living with it, I want this story to tell them that they aren’t alone,” he explained.
Commenting on his choice to use mixed mediums in the play, he said: “Classical Indian dance is one of the oldest forms of poetry in motion. Telling stories through facial expression and hand gestures is very similar to that of sign language. The two languages seem to fit well together and we find a medium where ‘all types’ of people may enjoy the story being told.
“We don’t have a sign language interpreter on stage, perhaps this will be our next step in theatre, but rather, our actress, Cindy Baijoo, is herself hearing impaired and uses speech and sign language for her role.
We wanted the audience to focus on the action and story so we had her speak her role through speech, dance and sign language. A task she is happy to fulfil.”
With this play Munsamy hopes to highlight the relationships that occur between mothers and children of different abilities.
“I see my sister raise a child with different abilities and through her I have seen patience and perseverance and a relationship that is like no other. To me she is a hero. A mother’s love cannot be replaced and is like no other.
“I want people to walk away from the show knowing that every relationship is different and when you add impairment into the equation, the relationship is further strained, but it is not something that cannot be overcome.
To my sister, and other mothers who would sacrifice themselves to raise a differently abled child, I salute you!”
• The show runs at the Catalina Theatre from Thursday to March 29 at 7pm on weekdays and 2pm on Saturday and Sundays. No shows on Mondays and Tuesdays. For bookings: 031 837 5999 or Computicket. R80 to R100.