There is a play showing in a new theatre in Kapa’a town. It is an outstanding work of art by Athol Fugard called “The Road To Mecca.” One of the play’s three stars is Dottie Bekeart, who plays Miss Helen,
There is a play showing in a new theatre in Kapa’a town. It is an outstanding
work of art by Athol Fugard called “The Road To Mecca.” One of the play’s three
stars is Dottie Bekeart, who plays Miss Helen, a character based on the
real-life South African artist Helen Martins, of “Owl House” fame.
“Owl
House” is the name of the museum which still exists today in New Bethesda, a
desert town in South Africa, where the real Miss Helen created wild art
throughout her home and outlandish cement statues in her yard, all of them
pointing towards East—Mecca. Bekeart, a well established local actress and
singer, says that Fugard’s writing is “as close to Shakespeare as any
playwright I’ve ever read.”
Nola Conn, who plays Elsa Barlow, a character
based on an actual friend of Helen Martins, says “this play, full of light and
color, is much like a gem: radiant, edgy, brilliant.”
Don Owen, of “Late
Night With Conan O’Brian” fame, plays Marius Byleveld, the church Reverend who
joins Helen and Elsa one evening to discuss some very hot topics.
“The
Road to Mecca” is showing Thursday through Sunday night until April 9 at the
Kaua’i International Theatre in Kaua’i Village. Don’t miss this intimate
show—it is a big wave in the cultural surf!
Georges Foss, MA, Arts
