Writer: John Rwothomack
Director: Mojisola Elufowoju
How does an innocent child become a ruthless child soldier, killing on command? Is it fear, brainwashing, intimidation, bullying, religion, captivity, or all of these things?
When the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) attacks his village in Northern Uganda in the 1980s, young Okumu and his older brother are out playing. Okumu takes the audience with him on his terrifying journey of coercion to becoming a soldier for the LRA.
John Rwothomack, the writer and actor of this one act play was born in Uganda and was almost kidnapped himself by the LRA. He believes, ‘theatre has to be more than entertainment. There has to be a reason behind staging anything.’ The narrative of Far Gone without doubt gives the audience insight into becoming a young child soldier.
There are several characters in this story but only one actor. Rwothomack’s energetic performance is brilliant. His whole demeanour, voice, facial expressions change as he convincingly switches characters from his older brother to the ruthless army commander. He continuously transitions between the characters.
At the start of Far Gone the young Okumu invites the audience to play with him, and then as the act progresses the audience find themselves menacingly drawn into responding to the demands of the overbearing, terrifying commander. Engaging the audience as such, helps in understanding how a young child would be intimidated.
There are no props, simply through body language, mime and the script, the audience is transported to a place, a situation that is otherwise difficult to comprehend. There are some rituals for the dead that might be unfamiliar and confusing. There are snatches of tribal languages too, but perhaps all this only enhances what a young child soldier must experience trying to make sense and reconcile with himself what is happening and what he must do to survive. The love and reassurance of his older brother carries him through.
The intimacy of the round Studio stage is perfect for this intense play. Mojisola Elufowoju’s creative vision and direction has certainly brought out the very best in Rwothomack’s performance as Okumu seamlessly travels from his home, trains as a young recruit and becomes a willing killer. It is all so believable and convincing. The unobtrusive sound effects also help create the narrative, atmosphere and tension.
There is a shocking twist at the end of the narrative that is sure to arrest the audience. It is a performance not to be missed. It could well be adapted to a full length play.
Runs until 26th February 2022
