Review: MLIMAS TALE at Playhouse Teater

Opening night of Mlimas Tale in Stockholm

Lynn Nottage the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, has never been performed in Sweden until now when the Playhouse stages Mlima's story. Mlima is one of the last large elephants in Kenya and the play opens with his death struggle after being injured by poachers who don't even want to waste another shot to alleviate the suffering. The only thing they are after is Mlima's amazing and valuable tusks. Then follows the cynical ivory trade that spans countries and continents. Mlima's spirit follows the grazers and marks anyone who comes into contact with them.

Timothy Waliggo Kakeeto portrays Mlima exceptionally well and his initial death struggle cannot be defended against but is felt throughout the body. Impressive dancing and movements by him right through the whole play. Elephants are herd animals and they mourn when an elephant dies and it grabs one when he calls out to his family and shouts that he is a warrior who fights and does not give up. But the forces run out and poachers take the tusks and leave a butchered elephant carcass. It shakes things up and sets the tone of the play.

The other three actors, Inès Cherif, Måns Clausen and William Wahlstedt play a number of different characters that appear in the plot. Character changes are marked with small means or a quick change of clothes and it is clear when a character enters the plot and someone leaves not to return. They find different character traits and reflect nationality and class affiliation very well.

With changing lighting and a drape that slides back and forth across the stage, we move from the savannah to the police station to the harbor and change countries. It is fascinating how little is needed for one to still feel that a transfer has taken place to another place.

Many plays performed at the Playhouse have a comedic undertone, but this time the laughs are far between, even if there are some laugh-out-loud moments. No, Lynn Nottage puts the finger on a social problem that we cannot turn a blind eye to. The play shakes, upsets, touches and shows how cruel man can be and choose to look away for the sake of his own gain. A play that stirs our conscience and no-one leaves the theatre untouched.

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