From the opening explanation of the meaning of the title: "Fokol, which means nothing in Afrikaans, and Lutho, which also means nothing," to its rousing finale, this is the show that everyone is going to be talking about and one you dare not miss.
Set in a fictional town that is a hilarious state of nothingness loaded with meaning, intent and originality, Jervis Pennington's glorious satirical creation is reminiscent of Pieter-Dirk Uys' unforgettable Babetikosweti (a non-existent homeland where everything happened and saw the birth of the most famous White Woman in South Africa and her clan). Fokol Lutho is our wonderful world of Oz, where there might not be a Yellow Brick Road, but most definitely a Dorothy and her okes, whose fantasy reflects our reality.
Following on from the success of Pennington's Naledi-winning musical, Scribble, which toured South Africa and went to New York, the heart and soul of Fokol Lutho's populace are five men and five heavenly, harmonised voices, brilliantly brought to life by director Tara Notcutt, with inventive design by Juanita Ferreira, catchy choreography by Cleo Notcutt and striking musical direction by Paul Morrissey. From the endearing opening song I Wish You Can Hear My Story, one only wishes that there was more.
It is a story that deserves to be told and will definitely become a legendary folk tale that everyone will be sharing; in the tradition of Charles Herman Bosman (which Notcutt brilliantly captured in Mafeking Road), and PG du Plessis' Kooperasie Stories, Pennington's sublime creation adds a fantastic dimension to South African culture that is as much a state of mind as it is a reality.
The colourful characters, set against the bleak-and-dusty desolation of a no-man's land, tell their story with verve and vigour; its wit and astuteness has an honesty that connects with who we are and what we want to say, but are mostly confined to express wholeheartedly as these characters naughtily do. The energetic ensemble has an electrifying connection that is amusing and amiable; Carlo Daniels (Kat and The Kings) is superb as the Mayor of Mayhem, with Moenier Adams (Afrikaaps, Remember The Time, Let's Mix It) delivering a heartfelt performance as the "Normal moffie wearing dresses". Waasief Piekaan (Wrongly Accused, Vocal is Lekker,) steals most of the scenes with his sassy dynamism, Jack the Bass aka Nkosekhaya Mgoqi (Imbube Singers) is delightful as the studly town stripper, and Pennington is terrific as he bursts out of his quiet misdemeanour and explodes as a ball of funky fire.
There is poignant poetry in the tuneful songs, which aptly captures the essence of "God developing a picture that will allow the world to see a whole new colour"; the solemn "hopelessness and agelessness" of our existence; and how we can't choose dates but most definitely "what we do in-between". It's this in-between that Fokol Lutho is all about, a wonderful realisation of how important it is to make the most out of being and sharing.
Notcutt has always had the instinctive genius of turning the ordinary into exceptional and unforgettable memories, and A Town Called Fokol Lutho has Notcutt at her best and most imaginative, allowing the actors to deliver an outstanding production and first-rate entertainment. If ever you pondered the meaning of life, love, friendship and want to shake off the blues, make sure to shimmy with the Fokol Lutho gurus. It's a delicious encounter where zany meets crazy and that proudly showcases the best talent South Africa has to offer.
Nothing beats experiencing the wholesome joy and gleeful bliss of the characters and their stories, bursting to life unplugged and unaffected, and filled with the passion and heartfelt determination of its cast and creative team. Make sure to visit A Town Called Fokol Lutho; it's guaranteed that you will be back and might even timeshare.
A Town Called Fokol Lutho will be performed at Kalk Bay Theatre Wednesday to Sundays from 12 July until 10 August. Doors Open at 6.30pm with the show starting at 8pm. Ticket cost R75 for show only or R60 for the limited Gallery seats upstairs. Bookings can be made on www.kbt.co.za.
Read more at www.writingstudio.co.za/page1746.html.
