Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Road to Mecca” Intrigues at Pear Theater, Mountain View

“Road to Mecca” Intrigues at Pear Theater, Mountain View

January 22, 2018 Kim Waldron

Athol Fugard’s Homage to Art and Friendship Inspires

by Kim Waldron

I couldn’t stop staring at the marvelous room on the stage as I waited for the play to begin. The vividly painted green and gold walls actually sparkle. Curious objects are scattered around, one small delight after another. The stage invites us in—not to an artist studio, but a home.

Diane Tasca (Helen) and Briana Mitchell (Elsa). All Photos by Michael Craig

Elderly Helen Martins, an Afrikaner widow and artist, lives here in the remote South African desert, in 1974. Two people visit Helen: Elsa Barlow, a young teacher visiting from the city, and Marius Byleveld, the old Afrikaner reverend of the town. Helen, Elsa, and Marius relentlessly challenge one another and themselves, with their conflicts exploring: What nourishes an artist’s imagination? How do people of color and women find courage to face oppressors? Does aging oppress as much as authority? What is faith? How much does love depend on trust?

When young Elsa comes to visit Helen, a clash is inevitable. Elsa’s abrasive city ways, and her torment over South Africa’s toxic apartheid allows her no peace, even if her messy personal life was in order.  However, their impossible friendship thrives on shared values of independence and courage. The two women’s difficult and fascinating friendship proves to be both honorable and sweet, and a joy to witness.

Diane Tasca and Briana Mitchell in “Road to Mecca”

Neither woman fits in. Helen’s provincial rural town expects a widow to draw the curtains and close the shutters. Instead, Helen becomes a sculptor, creating an astonishing world from her imagination. Her neighbors see her as eccentric, at best—or, a mad idolater, at worst. Elsa, an anti-apartheid feminist in the South Africa of 1974, faces ominous, bureaucratic enemies.

And the reverend Marius…is he, as Helen believes, a true friend, lovingly concerned for her welfare? Or is he, as Elsa believes, a dangerous schemer? Marius gradually opens up to the women, which surprises him as much as them. Playwright Athol Fugard provides no easy villains or answers.

Diane Tasca, Briana Mitchell, and John Baldwin

Unerringly, Diane Tasca as Helen and Briana Mitchell as Elsa shape sharp characters who debate tough issues. Tasca, who founded the Pear Theatre in 2002, and recently retired as Artistic Director, creates an irresistible Helen. A complex, timid, and sensitive artist, when she finally proclaims  in joyous abandon the source of her art, she dazzles her visitors—and us.

Brash Elsa, with her predictable opinions, could easily lapse into a stock figure; but Mitchell keeps her human, and us caring about her. John Baldwin makes Marius formidable, an uncompromising preacher, ill at ease when forced to question his beliefs and personal feelings.

Diane Tasca and Briana Mitchell at The Pear Theatre

Fugard loosely bases the character of Helen on the real Helen Martins, whose home is now converted to a museum in South Africa. Scenic Designer Ting Na Wang manages to sneak in some of Helen Martin’s real designs on the floor through light and shadow. Remarkable.

Freedom feeds the artist. Fugard’s tale of one human spirit finding her path will nourish those who make the journey to Pear Theatre. That’s a special gift in these times of lies and bigotry.

 

“Road to Mecca” by Athol Fugard, directed by Elizabeth Kruse Craig at Pear Theatre, Mountain View, California, through February 11, 2018. Info: thepear.org

Cast: John Baldwin, Briana Mitchell, and Diane Tasca.


Plays

Post navigation

NEXT
“The Birthday Party” Shocks with Political Allegory, at ACT, S.F.
PREVIOUS
Drew Lehman
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Dry Powder” Spotlights Wall Street Power-Brokers—at Left Edge
  • “Pride and Prejudice, The Musical” Enchants with Sass & Satire—at Ross Valley
  • “Clue” Melds Mystery & Comedy into Entertaining Adventure—at SF Playhouse
  • “Donna”: Intimate Interviews Celebrate Trans Triumphs—On Screen
  • “Fannie”: Sixties Spirituals Pave Path to Freedom—at TheatreWorks
  • “’Tasha” Tackles Raw Racism—at 3Girls
  • “Tea Party” Brews Up a Cup of America—at The Strand
  • “A Raisin in the Sun” Explodes with Drama and Power—at 6th Street
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Deserves Its Standing Ovation—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Mixes Nostalgic Hits with Terror—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Fun Home” Seduces with Strong Songs & Sultry Sass—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Anything Goes”: It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely—at 42nd Street Moon
  • “SIX, The Musical” Celebrates Women’s Freedom & Individuality—at BroadwaySF
  • “Fun Home” Bursts with Love & Feeling—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Dear San Francisco” Wows with Kaleidoscopic Acrobatics—at Club Fugazi

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.