Kids’ production packs a message of acceptance
Children’s play filled with non-stop action as well as music to make audience’s feet tap
There is a line where Betti says that if you are beautiful on the inside, you can never be ugly
This fantasy tale tells a story that starts deep in the valleys far away, nestled between mountains
I was not expecting to attend a child-friendly production until I was seated to watch Betti & the Yeti at the Victoria theatre on Wednesday morning.
Feelings of anxiety increased when I saw that the main audience queuing at the box office were little human beings, with their ages ranging from seven to 11.
The young Sivenanthi was resurrected.
The tale is about young Betiswa (Betti), and how she overcomes her fears and befriends the lovable Yeti.
This fantasy tale tells a story that starts deep in the valleys far-far away, nestled between monstrous mountains, where lies the fictional village of Silver Trees.
Known for its beautiful silver trees, the town’s happy spirit turns nasty when the trees begin to die.
With nobody to blame for the problem they faced with, the townsfolk decide that the culprit responsible for their fading foliage is none other than the quiet Yeti living in the mountains.
Only the young village girl Betti believes otherwise and together, she and her nervous friend Peter set off to save the day.
Director Luvuyo Yanta said: “Betti & the Yeti is filled with non-stop action, music to make your feet tap and sheer rollicking fun.
“But above all, there is at the heart of the play a poignant message.
“We are not pushing for the message, which is acceptance, but it is there — it is about when seeing someone different from you, do not judge them from their appearance,” the director said.
There is a line where Betti says that if you are beautiful on the insid e, you can never be ugly. The line touched me deeply and pushed the spirit of humanity.
Yanta said he hoped audiences would be encouraged to be accepting of those who are different and to learn that anyone can overcome their fears and achieve great things.
The cast of five are from Makhanda.
Yanta is a lecturer at the Rhodes University drama department.
He is an experienced performer and has featured in many theatre productions that were staged at the National Arts Festival, including Blood Stream, The Scorpion, Exhibit A, and Hoss.
“I have worked with award-winning directors such as Rob Murray, Brett Bailey, Janet Buckland and Andrew Buckland,” Yanta said.
“I enjoy collaborating in children’s productions, the director said.
“I directed Zina and the Songbird and co-directed Fundisa’s Fabulous Adventure, which were both performed at the National Arts Festival.”