The last show that performer Jean-Pierre Makosso appeared in on the Coast was the singing, storytelling M'bassu where he had hundreds of children laughing at the first sight of his lively face and infectious grin.
Makosso returns to the Coast stage Aug. 20 and 21 in a more dramatic story, The Lioness Can Also Roar, written and performed by Nigerian writer, storyteller and actor Comfort Ero. The author holds a B.A. and M.Ed. in education and drama in Nigeria and has won awards for her literary works. The producing company, Zibota African Moonlight Theatre, was established by her to showcase African cultural heritage. It's her third play since she came to Canada in 1996. The play involves singing, drumming, dancing and many smiles, but the subjects are serious ones. Ero asks audiences to come with her into the heart of an African woman in search of the release of her voice. It also alludes to the roadblocks to an African woman's freedom: female circumcision, marriage as slavery and the dilution of her culture. Yet, as one reviewer reported when the play was performed recently at Vancouver's Fringe Festival, she found herself "beaming on the street and dancing at the bus stop." Makosso, who has performed all over Africa and Europe with touring companies, is well known on the Coast for his previous play Uncontrollable Laughter. In The Lioness, he plays most of the roles opposite Ero, including that of another woman and of a villain.
Three performances of The Lioness Can Also Roar run Friday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. with matinée and evening performance on Saturday, Aug. 21. Tickets for $12 are available at Roberts Creek Health Food Store, Coast Books, Talewind Books and Windsong Gallery in Sechelt.
