Psychosis at the centre of Lara Foot’s cantata at the Baxter Theatre
DR SEAN Baumann’s stirring cantata Madness:
Songs of Hope and Despair, comes to the Baxter Theatre Centre for a limited season this February.
Baumann’s libretto is brought to life through music composed by Galina Juritz, with Dizu Plaatjies, conducted by Chad Hendricks and directed by Lara Foot. Fiona Moodie integrates her own artworks with that of work by patients of Valkenberg Hospital, with video design by Koeka Stander and lighting design by Patrick Curtis.
Mental illness and psychotic experiences are brought into the spotlight using a combination of rousing music (both live and some recorded), song and striking visual imagery in an attempt to portray the complexities and also the wonder of these strange and ultimately unknown worlds. The project arose from concern that the plight of the seriously mentally ill is either ignored or profoundly misunderstood and that this contributes to the suffering of those deemed insane.
The nine-member vocal ensemble comprises sopranos Linda Nteleza, Palesa Portia Malieloa; altos Nolubabalo Babalwa Mdayi, Fikile Mthetwa; tenors Monwabisi Lindi, Vuyisa Jack and Siphesihle Mdena; and basses Lungile Halam and Ebenezer Sawuli Madoda.
The small orchestra comprises musicians Matthijs van Dijk and Galina Juritz (violins), Sarah Evans/Asra Isaacs (viola), Luke Otto/Robert Jeffery (cello), Graham H Strickland (upright bass), Gene Kierman (French horn) and Zeke Le Grange on saxophone.
Dr Baumann is a senior specialist psychiatrist in the department of psychiatry and mental health at UCT, and a consultant at Valkenberg Hospital, having worked at the hospital in the domain of psychosis for over 20 years.
“Scientific accounts of madness or psychotic experiences tend to be inadequate and impoverished by a limited objective perspective. Literary and other artistic portrayals of psychosis too often lack authenticity, treating madness as a metaphor for personal and social ills,” Dr Baumann said.
The story involves a brilliant young student who moves from rural Eastern Cape to the city to study architecture. With his mother struggling to provide for him, he perseveres, falls in love and flourishes but shortly after graduating, something changes. He loses all perception and descends into a harrowing state of psychosis, tormented by voices telling him he is mad.
The subject of mental health and its place in today’s society has always intrigued director Lara Foot. Last year her play, The Inconvenience
of Wings, about a woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder, premiered to critical acclaim and had soldout performances at the National Arts Festival and at the Baxter. For her research on the development of the play, she worked closely with Baumann to get a better understanding of the prejudices that impact the work done in the area of mental health.
Foot is a multi-awarding-winning writer, director and producer, and she is the chief executive and artistic director at the Baxter.
Traditional music artist and cultural historian Dizu Plaatjies is no stranger to local audiences. Some of his own compositions were incorporated in Madness: Songs of Hope and Despair. Wellknown for his group Amampondo, Dizu has travelled world-wide, sharing his cultural exchange ideas with great success.
After Amampondo’s international tour, Dizu returned to South Africa and began lecturing African dance and music at UCT, a position that he still holds today. – Tonight Reporter
Madness: Songs of Hope and Despair
will be staged at the Baxter Theatre for a limited season from February 9 to 19, with performances at 8pm nightly and Sunday performances at 6pm. There is an age restriction of 14. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Cape Mental Health and Friends of Valkenberg.
Tickets cost R150 and booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Pay R100 for the Early Bird special for bookings made before January 31. For discounted corporate, schools bookings, charities or fundraisers: Sharon on 021 680 3962, sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen, 021 680 3993, carmen.kearns@uct.