Weird figures brighten night
[caption id="attachment_39851" align="alignright" width="300"] ODD SIGHT: The figures that captured imaginations. Picture: GILLIAN McAINSH[/caption]
HERBERT'S DREAM, by Compagnie des Quidams and Inko'Nito - Review by Gillian McAinsh.
THE Drostdy Lawns outside Rhodes University were visited by strange other-worldly creatures this weekend when a procession of elephantine ghosts lit up the night air of the arts festival.
Ungainly yet graceful, a French troupe of stilt-walkers in giant inflatable costumes, glowing like moon-like orbs from within, delighted and bewildered festival-goers both young and old.
Port Elizabeth audience members Rafael Sapere, 12, and Michael Riordain, 8, were among the throngs of youngsters who followed the figures like the Pied Piper as they floated round the lawns before circling round a massive central ball.
"It was cool," Rafael said, while Michael at first admitted it was "spooky and weird" before falling under the enchantment.
The 4m-high figures in Herbert's Dream have performed this piece of street theatre more than 400 times at festivals globally.
- Another European street theatre group, Teatergruppen Batida from Denmark, will play on the Drostdy Lawns today at noon. Entrance is free and the production is suitable for all ages.
