Black Theatre Review: Ruined
One night during the raging civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, salesman Christian (Lucian Msamati) sells Mama Nadi (Jenny Jules) two young women, Sophie (Pippa Bennett-Warner) and Salima (Michelle Asante). Both women have been ostracised by their families and villages because they have suffered the disgrace of being raped by soldiers in the civil war. Sophie, in particular, bears the shame of genital mutilation and is “ruined”. Mama Nadi has no use for such a girl in her bar which entertains soldiers whichever side of the war they’re on. The only way for Christian to seal the deal is to bribe Mama Nadi with a box of Belgian chocolates.
Lucian Msamati and Jenny Jules
Mama Nadi is a tough cookie who cares only about running a profitable business. She’s hard and relentless but at the same time strangely compassionate. When she finds out that the ruined Sophie is stealing money from her to pay for an operation to fix her mutilated body, Mama Nadi is angry but no punishment materialises. It’s only in the final poignant scene of the play that Mama Nadi’s ambiguities are explained.
In Mama Nadi, Lynn Nottage has created both the good and the bad of the human condition. However with Sophie and Salima there are no such contradictions. Both women are horrendously damaged, physically and psychologically and have been used as pawns in a vicious civil war. Michelle Asante who plays Salima is the emotional heart of the play when she movingly describes being held for five months by rebel fighters who repeatedly raped her. Her story of survival is uplifting but unfortunately short-lived.
Lucian Msamati, Okezie Morro and Silas Carson
Ruined is an intelligent and well-acted study of the female character. The traumas of war bring out different reactions from the women: Salima goes to extremes in order to escape her world of abuse, Sophie chases the money that will allow her to mend her broken body while Josephine dreams to be rescued by a man. Above them all is Mama Nadi who becomes an exploiter of her fellow women to fiercely protect the little she has left.
Pippa Bennett-Warner and Jenny Jules
These women’s narratives are steeped in reality, derived from testimonies collected by Lynn Nottage herself during a trip to the Congo where she spoke to many female victims and survivors of the civil war. The result is a sad, yet compelling play, bringing to the fore stories that are too often hidden.
Pics (c) Almeida
Ruined, at the Almeda Theatre until 5 June
What’s On – Black Theatre listings
‘Ruined’ is hard going but the story is indeed compelling and so important. An incredibly moving theatrical experience, one of a kind. Some of the cast are better than others. Jenny Jules as ever is superb as is Lucian Msamati. Pippa Bennett-Warner does a good job too as does David Ajala. I think the least impressive performance was Silas Carson as Mr Harari.
In any case it’s a must-see for the subject matter alone.
Shalom x