“This is our normal.”
Who doesn’t come from / live with / happily love their mad and dysfunctional family? The beauty of your unique family is that you’re entirely yourself, vulnerable and true, around your set of trusted people. And if you’re not being you – they let you know about it.
Directed by Philip Rademeyer, In The Wings shares with us a familiar family with whom we can identify. Trust, loyalty, forgiveness, negotiation, sacrifice, troubles, unconditional love – all families experience emotional rollercoasters, and this family is no different.
OK, so one daughter has cerebral palsy. But as In The Wings guides us to understand, this shouldn’t be our first consideration when looking to understand this family. Of course, it is an ever-present and inescapable reality of their lives. But it doesn’t define them.
Single mom Stacey (Bo Petersen) is doing her best to keep the tethers of the family rope together. Elder sister Jo (Emma Kotze) aspires to study music overseas – she’s a talented violin player. Younger sister Kath (Danieyella Rodin) is an “adrenaline junky at heart” but is physically limited to the wheelchair she zoots around in with prowess. Jay (Daniel Richards), who Kath is teenage-crush in love with, plays an important role as the voice of the outsider, of the everyman. According to Kath, he’s nice to her ‘cos he knows it’s the right thing to do.
Written by Jared Kruger, the script is loaded with insightful and careful observation into living with disability. Kath, Jo and a friend go to the movies. Whilst avoiding eye contact with Kath, a woman patronisingly comments, “it’s great what you girls are doing for her, god bless you”. Kath is amused by this, she’s built up her armour, but Jo still wants to protect her sister from insensitivity. Later, Jay tells Kath she needs “to be realistic” and she simply answers, “Why?” She is determined not to be confined and resigned to her situation.
Although the story is about two sisters coming to terms with their lives lived, and the effects of self-sacrifice and compromise on their family, In The Wings is about the possibilities before them, about integrity and staying true to oneself.
The stage movement is carefully manoeuvred with simple black frames used to great effect in a comic elevator scene and an unnerving school bullying scene, but are also used to signify the soliloquies which illuminate the characters’ feelings and perspectives.
There’s simply too much to comment on – the production is saturated with dramatic action and emotional layers… The financial impact of massive medical bills: what happens to those who have no medical aid, no one to look after them, rely on the state’s care? Kath says “that’s a crappy term, special needs” and the issue of inaccessibility is subtly mentioned throughout. When will the needs of all South Africans be met, so that there aren’t “special” needs anymore?
I admit, a few tears threatened to spill. Perhaps I’m softening… but In The Wings is emotive and punches to the core of familial love – it should have any hardened anti-crier dabbing at their eyes.
– Sarah Roberson
Click here for production info. In The Wings plays tomorrow 8 July @ 22.00 @ Masonic Front.
Another Critter’s crit on In The Wings here.