22481: (Arthur) Another British media piece on Vodou Nation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

CULTURE CLUB
By Davina Morris - The Voice newspaper, 1 June 2004

Through colourful music and dance, Vodou Nation explains Haiti’s religion and
revolutionary history to UK audiences

This week, a powerful new piece of musical theatre embarks on a UK tour.
Vodou Nation – which opens at the West Yorkshire Playhouse tomorrow – boldly
explores the history of Haiti in this, the 200th anniversary year of the slave
revolt that led to the island’s independence in 1804.

“It’s very exciting,” enthuses co-director Geraldine Connor. “Because all
of the performers come from Haiti, dealing with the language barrier has been
quite a challenge. But in terms of energy, it’s been great.

“This is a lovely project and it’s always an adventure creating a new piece
of work.”

Geraldine was born in Trinidad but has been based in Yorkshire for the past
14 years. She is a former lecturer at Leeds University and one-time backing
vocalist for the likes of Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, with her artistic credits
including Blues in The Night, Yaa Asantewaa and the massive musical Carnival
Messiah.

This latest feat, although challenging, was a natural progression for
Geraldine, and one best suited to her extensive knowledge.

“I was invited by Jan Ryan, the producer of UK Arts Productions, to co-direct
this show probably because of my experience of the Caribbean together with my
knowledge of voodoo and music.

“Richard Morse has composed all the music, but music for a band is quite
different to music within the theatre. So one of my purposes was to translate the
music from band music to a theatrical piece,” she explains.

The story is told through dance, movement and caricature and is not only
visually thrilling – not least for its fabulous costumes – but is informative in
its telling of Haiti’s history.

“We relate some of the characters to some of the voodoo gods,” Geraldine
explains. “For example, Ogou is the god of war, so he is represented in our show
as the dictator – a warrior. Erzuli Freda is a beautiful woman who is raped.
Her rape is an allegory for the rape of Haiti. The whole production is very
cleverly written.”

COLONISERS

Too clever for audiences unfamiliar with the story to get to grips with it?

“We have very copious programme notes, which support the production,” she
explains. “What also helps is that Haiti was in the news so much recently and
people realise that there’s been a revolution – 200 years after the first
revolution, when Haiti became the first black republic in the world. My take on
that is that Haiti has never been forgiven for this.

“When those enslaved Africans overthrew their colonisers, they counted
Napoleon among them. And I feel there’s still a sense of: ‘How dare you fight and
beat Napoleon?’ You just don’t do that – not if you’re black.”

Though voodoo can often conjure up an image of magic, spells and witchcraft,
Geraldine explains voodoo’s purpose as a bona fide religion.

“Like all religions, it came out of West Africa during slavery. If you look
at Cuba you have santeria, look at Trinidad you have shango, Brazil you have
condomblé, Haiti you have voodoo. These were the African religions practised by
enslaved Africans and if you go to West Africa, you’ll find the roots of these
religions.”

JOURNEY

She continues: “The idea that these religions are all about witchcraft is
totally false. That notion is just a way of vilifying black people and it’s been
used by white nations of the world to denigrate what actually is a very pure
and authentic form of religion.

“In the Christian religion you have heaven and hell. In voodoo you have good
and bad. All religions have that theme of retribution.”

Vodou Nation’s company of 16 Haitian musicians, dancers and singers create a
show that beckons the audience to follow them on a journey to another culture,
complete with carnival costumes, a filmscape and special effects.

“All those who love carnival, all people who love dance and all people who
love musical theatre will love this play,” she says. “This production is not
heavily text-based at all. You see it, you hear it and you understand it.”

Vodou Nation is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Quarry Hill, Leeds from June
1-26. Call the box office on 0113 213 7700.