Elephant

There is no question that Elephant is a remarkable play. What's notable is the number of levels on which the show succeeds.

Through years of refinement with the Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company (including a brief run at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe), Elephant has become a blockbuster of visual and musical art.

The story follows the recently deceased Chief Zanenvula as he reflects upon his life after being refused entry to heaven. He is tempted along his journey by Lucky Louis, a Mephistophelean character who tries to coax him into ignoring his past mistakes. With sly nods to contemporary absurdity and commedia dell’ arte, Elephant is a strange blend of modern technique and traditional African storytelling.

At its most superficial level, Elephant is an awesome spectacle of South African dance and music. Featuring heart-pounding rhythms and sound, there are moments that will knock you back with the energy of the performers. Likewise, the show embraces elegance and beauty while centring on nature and ancestral tradition. The distinct mixture of ballet and festival dance works perfectly in the cross-cultural context of the work.

Visually, the show is fantastic. Every costume is bright and colourful. The highlight is undoubtedly the life-size elephants that amble across the stage. Still photos do not do these creatures justice, as the puppetry is top-notch throughout. Their range of movement brings an even deeper appreciation to the skill of the ensemble, and emphasises the love and care that went into this show’s creation.

If one must criticise this production for anything, it would have to be the unfortunate side-effect of performing in Western theatres. The Festival Theatre is a beautiful venue, but it seems a pity to enclose Elephant on a proscenium stage. As we sat quiet and safe in our dark auditorium, the cast celebrated a party that we could only observe. One can easily imagine how great an experience Elephant would have been in the open-air street theatres where it originated.

Nevertheless, Elephant is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It is family theatre for the whole family – neither too childish nor too violent – with a unique cultural perspective that echoes across the globe.