By Aphiwe Ngowapi
Legendary Queer Sisters is a performance by Emmanuel “É´mma” Rattle, African Tones, Tebogo Artslave Gxubane, and Jemima “Miss-J” Julius that highlights the triumphs and the struggles of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, and Intersex+ (LGBTQI+) Community through storytelling, song and dance.
Importantly, the play remembers all the politicians and activists who fought (and are still fighting) for their rights and well-being, not forgetting all those who died and suffered simply for being their authentic selves. Here, the play makes use of soft music to mourn the innocent allies brutally murdered, assaulted, raped and violated at the hands of men. Supplementing this is a complex, versatile and rich sound from the violin.
One of the Legendary sisters utters spoken words of praise, referring to herself as a “deputy God”, giving the impression that she is crucial. Props such as chairs are used as a pedestal for her godlike status. Her sisters join in singing, “We are here to stay!” as they dance jubilantly to the sound of flutes and drums.
The sound of music fades away, and the instrumentals stop; through poetry, one of the sisters breaks down, uttering how scared she is of even existing in a world penetrated by hatred. Pejorative terms are hurled at her until, ultimately, she is lifted and comforted by words of encouragement from her family.
The dull dresses worn by the sister tell her broken story and how she is slowly losing herself. The colourful outfits and stage together outshine the darkness. We witness the strong bond the cast shares by the way they all move and sound in sync. At the back of the stage, you are absorbed by the multicoloured dress of the other legendary sister, and the lights shining out from her throne. The performers don bright, colourful, and dazzling outfits. Stage lights switch to different colours at set intervals, symbolising diversity.
The majority of victims who brutally lost their lives never receive justice, while the perpetrators still walk freely. Legendary Queer Sisters can be seen as a cry for help or a quest for justice – a reminder that the community is still bleeding and has not forgotten.
Legendary Queer Sisters does it for me. It is well written and produced, educating and entertaining at the same time. The play highlights real-life problems and challenges faced locally and internationally while also offering up possible ways of dealing with them.
