By Gavin Gaka
Mora begins in startling fashion as a woman goes off in a heated monologue, berating men with terms such as: “Men are dogs”, “Men deserve nothing”, and “Men are useless”.
The play, written by Bongani Ntshingila, seeks to analse the place of men in society, while holding the complexities of contemporary masculinity, including its pitfalls.
Crucially, Mora looks at the reality of men who are physically, emotionally, and mentally abused, and the factors that contribute to them not speaking out about this. Love becomes a crucial factor, specifically the absence of love in relationships between men and women. This lack of love is exacerbated by the fact that women have suffered at the hands of men for far too long, and the play showcases this through woman characters who express the trauma they have had to endure at the hands of men.
Domestic violence is rampant, and the play does shy away from this reality, but it doesn’t necessarily innovate how stories around this topic are told. This is not necessarily bad, as it does provoke some contemplation regarding the root issues perpetuating the tumultuous relationship between men and women. Furthermore, the narrative around domestic violence in Mora also showcases how violence, anger, and trauma manifest in men.
The performers deliver a spirited performance, highlighting the nuances that bring to life to the characters they are portraying. There are some also well-timed moments of humour created through dramatised bodily expressions that highlight the personality traits of the characters. This is seen in the puffing out of the chest, slow pacing while giving a monologue, the way their bodies and voices grow to convey anger or power, and their ability to use gestures in place of words. All of this provides a welcome reprieve from the hard-hitting subject matter.
All in all, the play does not provide direct solutions to the ills we face in a society featuring fractured relationships between men and women, but it does provoke thoughts and topics that are worthy to be spoken about as we navigate these precarious times.
