Poignant parable returns
IT’S ONE of the most timeless, poignant stories ever written, performed and appreciated for its literary worth for decades.
The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico is a simple, short parable about the restorative power of friendship and love, set against a backdrop of the horror of war. In this heartwrenching tale, the growth of an extraordinary friendship is charted.
Philip Rhayader is a reclusive artist living in an abandoned lighthouse in the Essex marshlands because of his disabilities.
A snow goose is found far from home by a young girl, Fritha. As the human friendship blossoms, the bird is nursed back to flight and revisits the lighthouse in its migration for several years. Fritha grows up.
Rhayader and his small boat get lost in the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II after having saved several hundred men.
The bird, which was with Rhayader, returns briefly to the older Fritha on the marshes. This she interprets as Rhayader’s soul taking farewell of her.
With the skilful use of masks, ingenious staging and the performance skills of Taryn Bennett and James Cairns, Jenine Collocott has created a theatre gem that has enthralled audiences. Making up the rest of the team are long-time Fringe producers Simon and Helen Cooper.
The show premiered in 2013 and has been performed to much acclaim all over the country.
Collocott says, “It’s been a privilege to have it on for so long – it has, among others, been performed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and at the Hilton Arts Festival.”
Collocott says that while the heart and soul of this tender, immersive story have been kept, the language has been modernised.
“We had to be more sensitive towards the relationship between Fritha and Rhayader to avoid connotations. We managed to show it as a pure love of friends.”
Bennett as Fritha says the story is seen through her eyes as the protagonist. “The story is mostly done through the use of voice nuances and body language.’’
Cairns, playing Rhayader and others, says: “The reactions of the audience have been amazing.
“What’s difficult is to put kindness and wonder on stage without being sentimental.
“People warm to it. We have stayed with the play and we know what works now and what doesn’t since we first put it on...”
■ The Snow Goose is on at The Fugard until May 4. For more details and bookings go to the www.thefugard. com or call 0214614554.