By Keren Banza
Legendary Queer Sisters does not wait for October’s South African Pride Month to celebrate and amplify the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. Instead, right here at the Festival, the cast represents the queer joys and struggles through song, dance, and strong narratives.
The performance is compelling with high-energy choreography sprinkled with heartfelt singing. The costumes are replate with heeled boots and makeup that screams ‘PROUD’. The character, Ruffled Feathers, dons a colourful feather headpiece, glittering atop a rainbow flag skirt below. The stage demands attention with a crucial message; “embrace diversity” and “wash away ignorance and homophobia.”
Each interaction between the characters is cleverly crafted as a moment of teaching. We learn of the iconic impact that gay activist and anti-apartheid leader, Simon Nkoli, had on the community and why we celebrate pride month in October. Additionally, the production unpacks the global struggle for queer rights, and attributes the deadly impact stereotyping has on the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Music plays a large role in queer culture. The live instrumental music aids in the storytelling process, not only by accompanying the singing and dancing, but in setting the tone of the narrative. Beats from the djembe, the commanding sounds of brass instruments, coupled with the rhythms from the keyboard, and the elegance of the strings blend together to create an immersive experience.
Although upbeat, Legendary Queer Sisters does not shy away from tackling sensitive topics. Through a moving song and dance performance, we reflect on the high suicide rate amongst the community, often triggered by a feeling of rejection and suppression. One can hear hurtful slurs flung from the shadows, like stones thrown towards the confidence, expression and identities of LGBTQIA+ people. Towards the closing of the production, victims of violent hate crimes are given a moment of silence reminding us of the faces behind the rainbow.
You will leave the theatre entertained with an awareness of the realities faced by queer folks in South Africa. Despite the struggles facing the LGBTQIA+ community, they’re “here to stay”.
Legendary Queer Sisters is showing at City Hall from 24 to 26 June.
