★★★★★
Written and performed by Chiedza Rwodzi, Strangers and Revelations follows two Zimbabweans on their first date. When London weather thwarts their original plans, Zodwa meets Malcolm at his flat. After a shaky start, the two bond over a bottle of wine, discussing and debating their individual cultural experiences, and eventually uncovering each other’s deepest, darkest secrets.
The characterisation is incredible. At first, Malcolm is charming; cracking jokes and dishing out compliments to try and break down the walls that Zodwa has up. We are rooting for the couple, and hoping the date works out. On the other hand, Zodwa is understandably apprehensive about having a first date at someone’s house and makes snippy, cold remarks. She begins to soften as the date progresses but never loses sight of herself. It’s so refreshing to see a powerful and opinionated woman showing vulnerability without being reduced to a victim, and it’s something we certainly need more of on stage.
From the start, the pair don’t see eye-to-eye. They almost agree on fishing as they both have fond memories of fishing in Lake Kariba. But of course, they find something to disagree on: Malcolm argues that bigger fish are attracted to women’s pheromones, and thus gravitate towards bait that has been touched by women, which Zodwa vehemently rejects. Their opinions about Zimbabwe differ too. Malcolm longs to go back while Zodwa needs some space to heal from her toxic ex and escape the pressures that come from being the first born.
The key difference, however, is in their belief systems. Zodwa believes in one God (the God, she informs Malcolm), and attends church; Malcolm scorns her, stating it is the religion of the colonisers. He describes himself as spiritual, and wears a pendant of Nyami Nyami, the serpent-like River God. The Tonga people believe he has a wife, but has been separated from her by the Kariba Dam. Nyami Nyami sent floods to ruin the foundations of the dam, and by the time it was completed, 80 people who worked on it had died. It’s fascinating to learn about their culture, and it’s presented with the perfect amount of detail that inspires you to delve deeper into the subject once the show concludes.
Something feels off about the date, but it’s hard to figure out exactly what it is. The background music feels slightly menacing, and the characters tiptoe around each other, unable to find a conversation topic that won’t cause the other to erupt. Zodwa’s gut seems to be telling her to leave, but yet, the shred of vulnerability that Malcolm shows keeps drawing her back in. The twist is sudden and shocking, and the audience watches on with baited breath as Malcolm’s “nice guy” persona unravels.
Strangers and Revelations is a hidden gem at this year’s Fringe. It’s a bold and powerful play shining a much-needed light on power imbalances between African men and women. It evokes shock, sadness, anger, and everything in between, and leaves the audience reeling once the lights go down.
Strangers and Revelations will be performed at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall – Theatre 3 until 23 August (not 10, 17) as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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