‘A young girl who dreams of a better life, Aya decides to leave her village the night of their festival when she discovers the village of lights, a magical settlement beaming with promise and adventure. Learning that masquerades, sacred beings who roam the land on giant stilts, may be the key to finding the mysterious new village, Aya sets out on a journey to find the creatures, befriending unusual characters and learning a thing or two about herself and the world beyond home. A laud to Cameroon, Aya and the Masquerades is a story about courage, love, and persistence.’
Written by Karen Monie, it’s White Rooster Theatre‘s first commission, and it may be the first theatre piece written by a Black female playwright produced in the province.
The staging is nimble, kinetic, and imaginative. The three actors (with Nonceba Khumalo as Ava, and Lydia Makaga and Lina Makaga in various roles) manipulate the set of spiky trees and draped fabric, transforming into different creatures via a puppet or crown. Ava’s journey is briskly accompanied by thunderstorms and forest harvesting, in a tight and engaging choreography.
The Masquerades has been touring schools, and plays tonight and tomorrow at Resource Centre for the Arts – with three shows on Saturday! – you can book tickets here.

Cast:
Nonceba Khumalo
Lydia Makaga
Lina Makaga

Crew:
Director – Santiago Guzmán

Assistant Director: Lisah Nsanzugwanko
Musical Director: Mark Parselelo
Production Design: Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Production Design Mentee: Oluwatoyin Awosanya
Tailor:  Angela Oghenekaro
Stage Manager: Terry Doyle
Producer: Ruth Lawrence