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Delightful poetic night at drama studio

ACCRA DAILY GRAPHIC, November 10, 1967

Accra, Ghana – West Africa

By A Correspondent

A NIGHT to be remembered in Accra was certainly last Thursday, when Dr and Mrs Scott Kennedy who have recently arrived from America, not only entertained but enthralled a large audience at the Drama Studio. Their subject was the Poetic Life of Langston Hughes.

Both Dr and Mrs Scott Kennedy made one realise that good poems are designed to be listened to as well as read. Twenty-seven poems delighted our ears. We were swept away from a truly majestic prologue to drum accompaniment to something off beat and clever, and down to earth again with stark domesticity.

All the poems were inspired and in relating them there seemed no barrier between the audience and actors. This atmosphere must surely be that rare thing of which the promoters of the Drama Centre dreamt about.

Gift

Mrs Kennedy has a gift of being able to switch from brilliant sophistication, to winsomeness and bittersweet pathos. The timbre of her voice did not permit her to project it sufficiently at all times in the auditorium, but this no doubt could be remedied with subtle ingenious microphone methods.

Dr Kennedy was heard from every angle and the team work of these artists was superlative. Their characterisations, sometimes droll and appealing and at others sharp, urbane with comedy, and bursts of dramatic tone, was a lesson in itself to the many students at drama comprising audience.

Professor Nketia opened this unusual Literary Forum, and it was further graced by the American Ambassador Mr Franklin Williams and Mrs Williams. The Ambassador in his thanks to the promoters showed his own acting talents and was a rival to Danny Kaye!

The consensus of opinion I heard from all around was the criticism I would venture: Why applaud after each item? This was a jarring note to those who had come to hear the poems as a cycle. The applause given unstintingly from “the heart” at the conclusion was in the mood and further enhanced by the mellow notes of the Atenteben orchestra from Legon.

Dr Lee in thanking the artists hinted about a repeat performance on one night such as this and many more could be given by this excellent and very talented duo.

“Contains a volume of history – in one continuous dramatic event.”

“All Blacks must celebrate this performance. And the entire White World should rush to give Witness to it. It’s a revelation!”

“I must have cried and laughed at the same time. It was truly moving!”

“The performance is filled with the joys and pathos of humanity.”

“Inside the White-Black Confrontation.”

Re-printed for research purposes. Copyright remains with the original holder.