Local theatre has taken on the task of addressing the social ills associated with prostitution, stigma and discrimination, and the relations between men and women through the Winston Farrell- penned play, Looking Back At Sodom.
“Good script with good action, powerful”, was one of the many ways the play was described when it was performed at the Princess Margaret Secondary School last Sunday evening before a moderate-sized audience.
Set in a Caribbean island during the period of Lent, the play forcefully examines the consequences of prostitution and promiscuity not only on the persons engaging in the act but on all those around them. The action revolves around the lives and interactions of three generations of women: Paula, played by Shana Hinds; her daughter Yasmine, played by Shakira Forde; Madame, played by Leanne Humphrey; and Polo played by Matthew Murrell.
Paula, a former prostitute who returns from Europe after 12 years hoping to find a better life for her daughter Yasmine whom she abandoned at aged 5. The recently diagnosed HIV-positive Paula’s return brings her daughter and adoptive mother Madam face to face with the realities of HIV/AIDS.The mouthy teenager Yasmine shows understanding but in her childlikeness still feels the need to experiment as she is unsure of her place in life.
Fully aware of the work her mother and adoptive grandmother were involved in, Yasmine now has to focus on breaking the cycle but she readily recalls the comments that followed her all her life such as that her mother was a prostitute, her grandmother an “old hen” and she would follow suit. More than anything else, Yasmine needs to break the cycle which has followed her all her life.
However, from her dialogue it is clear that Yasmine is a lot more conscious of herself when she tells her mother that she need to be more responsible after she learns that her HIV positive mother sleeps with her schoolteacher Mr Catwell. The actions of Paula also bring to the fore the issue of people willingly having sex with persons without disclosing their HIV status.Ultimately the play is all about the choices we make.
Madame professes to be a Christian, but the influences of her past rear their head at critical moments in the way she deals with Yasmine’s assertion that she was raped. Her character explores religion and the role it plays in undermining serious discussion on the social ills.
Looking Back At Sodom is truly a reflection of our society. This was shown in the character of Polo, who incites hatred from the audience because of what he represents: seduction and the predator who takes advantage of the persons who trust him most namely Madame, Paula and Yasmine.
The thought-provoking and emotive play uses language, the scenery and culture to underscore the devastation caused by sexual freedom, verbal abuse, and lack of a father figure, but most importantly the struggle women face as mothers and, in many cases, sole providers of a family unit. However, the sincerity of the acting was the most pivotal element that ensured that the intended messages reached the audience.
The play was originally presented as part of the final year project for the students of the Barbados Community College’s Associate Degree in Performing Arts and was revived in February as an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism to coincide with Love Safely Week 2011.
It was taken to the parish of St Philip at the request of various St Philip Constituency Councils and has been receiving numerous requests from other social groups.
Some patrons called for the play to be introduced in the school system but despite the easy-flowing dialogue and a poignant message, its language remains too strong for a younger audience.
Slight profanity and some depictions would need to be adapted to the primary school audience so the message gets out there before they start to have sex or so those who have started will understand the need to love safely.
