Another successful run for rhino play

Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe
The fight to save the rhino got a boost in the last week with a hugely successful re-run of “When They Are Gone” which ended at Reps on Saturday.The ballet, which was shown at Hifa 2013, was brought to Reps by public demand and the full house crowd justified the return.Maylene Chenjerai as Jelani portrayed the story of an orphaned baby rhino rescued and raised by humans who is now returning to the wild.

As the rhino returns to the wild she takes the audience on a panoramic view of the Save Valley Conservancy revealing the beauty and quirkiness of the various inhabitants including the cheetah, vultures, a fish eagle, painted dogs and others.

Jelani’s story is loosely based on a true story. An orphaned baby rhino charged at scouts who discovered his mother’s body. The little chap — named Jimmy – was taken in by a couple who raised him as one of the family until it was time to return him to the wild.
He still answers to the whistle of his human mum but is not too friendly with other humans.

Because of its jungle theme, setting and animal characters, the ballet is energetic and fast moving.

Even those who do not relate to classic ballet would find this one tolerable.

Produced and choreographed by Christie Clayton, “When They Are Gone” is undoubtedly a labour of love.

Whipping the huge cast into shape and getting everyone in sync must have been a challenge that was overcome to produce the superb performance.

The stark scenery and simply elegant costumes worked very well evoking the true essence of the wild and leaving the dance and music to tell the story.

The ballet was a Dance Trust of Zimbabwe production in support of the Save Valley Conservancy. The re-run came as an early Christmas present for ballet lovers. It also returned at a time when the whole country is still shuddering at the wanton poisoning of elephants by poachers in Hwange.

However, the crowd seemed to mostly represent one demographic group of the population namely the older whites with a few young faces and sprinkling of other ethnic groups.

But this is a beautiful and touching story that is relevant to all Zimbabweans for if the wholesale poaching is allowed to continue soon these animals will all be gone forever.

Perhaps the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe should think in terms of showing this ballet beyond the confines of Reps possibly with music from more mainstream artists to attract wider audiences.