Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Tin Bucket Drum: Questions with Neil Coppen
- Selection of images from various performances
- Tin Bucket Drum: the play script
- Note on staging
- Scene 1 A celebration
- Scene 2 The journey
- Scene 3 Mkhulu's welcome
- Scene 4 A child is born
- Scene 5 Awakening
- Scene 6 Sermon
- Scene 7 Silent confinement
- Scene 8 Mkhulu's story
- Scene 9 Integration
- Scene 10 Problem child
- Scene 11 Legacy
- Scene 12 Rehabilitation
- Scene 13 Community service
- Scene 14 Revolution
- Scene 15 Lullaby
Scene 12 - Rehabilitation
from Tin Bucket Drum: the play script
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2018
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Tin Bucket Drum: Questions with Neil Coppen
- Selection of images from various performances
- Tin Bucket Drum: the play script
- Note on staging
- Scene 1 A celebration
- Scene 2 The journey
- Scene 3 Mkhulu's welcome
- Scene 4 A child is born
- Scene 5 Awakening
- Scene 6 Sermon
- Scene 7 Silent confinement
- Scene 8 Mkhulu's story
- Scene 9 Integration
- Scene 10 Problem child
- Scene 11 Legacy
- Scene 12 Rehabilitation
- Scene 13 Community service
- Scene 14 Revolution
- Scene 15 Lullaby
Summary
The NARRATOR appears from various points behind the central table, peeping out as though from behind doorways and portraying a chorus of gossiping town members.
NEIGHBOUR 1: It's the work of the devil!
She's an incarnation of evil.
Breaking our silence
with that rhythmic upheaval.
NEIGHBOUR 2: Mmmmm … I've heard her before.
Tapping on fences.
Rattling tins in the shed.
This child has demons.
Tormenting her heart.
Tormenting her head.
NEIGHBOUR 3: She's Mad.
She's Distressed.
She's Wicked.
She's Possessed.
The neighbours chatter wildly as military drums sound and the CENSOR rises menacingly at his podium (the table).
CENSOR: Good people, calm yourselves … calm yourselves.
I have decided that it would be only fair
in the interest of ALL of our safety
to remove this Nomvula from her mother's care.
It is now the responsibility of this state
to aid her in a sufficient recovery.
In other words ….
With watchful eye and beady ear
Rehabilitate!
He searches the crowd for NANDI and her daughter. When he spots them he extends an accusatory, beckoning finger.
Wena … Woza!
NOMVULA, accompanied by her trembling mother, steps forward. The PERCUSSIONIST notes their approaching footsteps. The CENSOR eyes them up and down with disgust.
CENSOR: After much consideration …
Deliberation …
Procrastination!
It has been decided that the child is to be sent away.
Made to sleep by the well on the outskirts of the town.
Each day she will be forced to carry out an arduous form of community service.
She will be made to do this until the first rain falls.
The CENSOR turns into NANDI, taking off his military hat and turning his back on the audience.
NANDI [pleading]: But it has not rained in 20 years. She's only a child … my only child.
Back to the CENSOR at the podium.
CENSOR: We must stop her before she commits further sin.
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- Information
- Tin Bucket Drum , pp. 33 - 35Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2016