So gruesome was the murder of Sister Aidan Quinlan in Duncan Village that her story continues to be told in various art forms.
The Gompo Arts Centre’s theatre production The Cannibalism: Irish Nun which was staged at the Guild Theatre yesterday tells the story of Irish nun Quinlan who was murdered and cannibalised in 1952.
The centre’s manager, Wandile Ntlanganiso, said they chose Quinlan’s story because they wanted to tackle a story that has never been staged before.
He said the show debuted to critical acclaim at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown last month.
Quinlan was a medical doctor who had set up the St Peter Claver mission hospital in East London.
One day she drove into Duncan Village and encountered a crowd of people who were participating in the defiance campaign against apartheid laws. The crowd had been riled up earlier by an angry confrontation with the police and she was stoned, stabbed and burnt to death.
Buyile Geza, who directed the production, said it was difficult to piece together bits of information which had been dispersed and lost over the years.
“Despite all the research and having to follow proper channels, I have really enjoyed working on this show because it’s a story that happened in our township, making it our story. It feels good to own a work like this.”
Geza said they would love to see their production being shown on big stages such as Artscape in Cape Town and the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
The Gompo performers gave an energetic and mesmerising performance.
Despite the sadness of the story and the violence and traumatic life experience under apartheid, the production was anything but gloomy with many moments of joy and laughter.
The singing also kept the audience entertained and singing along in high spirits.
Ntlanganiso said the Gompo Arts Centre and Steve Biko Centre (SBC) in Ginsberg were building a working relationship and this performance was about introducing themselves to the SBC.
After the show, Xolisa Ka Pakati, from the SBC, only had high praise.
“What a beautiful ensemble and what a powerful story! What I really appreciate is how the group is reclaiming their history and telling their story from their own perspective.”
Xolisa Sibutha from the department of sports, recreation and arts and culture (DSRAC) said seeing the production come to life was an important milestone for the department and for the arts in the province. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Nun’s tragic story retold
The Gompo Arts Centre’s theatre production The Cannibalism: Irish Nun which was staged at the Guild Theatre yesterday tells the story of Irish nun Quinlan who was murdered and cannibalised in 1952.
The centre’s manager, Wandile Ntlanganiso, said they chose Quinlan’s story because they wanted to tackle a story that has never been staged before.
He said the show debuted to critical acclaim at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown last month.
Quinlan was a medical doctor who had set up the St Peter Claver mission hospital in East London.
One day she drove into Duncan Village and encountered a crowd of people who were participating in the defiance campaign against apartheid laws. The crowd had been riled up earlier by an angry confrontation with the police and she was stoned, stabbed and burnt to death.
Buyile Geza, who directed the production, said it was difficult to piece together bits of information which had been dispersed and lost over the years.
“Despite all the research and having to follow proper channels, I have really enjoyed working on this show because it’s a story that happened in our township, making it our story. It feels good to own a work like this.”
Geza said they would love to see their production being shown on big stages such as Artscape in Cape Town and the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
The Gompo performers gave an energetic and mesmerising performance.
Despite the sadness of the story and the violence and traumatic life experience under apartheid, the production was anything but gloomy with many moments of joy and laughter.
The singing also kept the audience entertained and singing along in high spirits.
Ntlanganiso said the Gompo Arts Centre and Steve Biko Centre (SBC) in Ginsberg were building a working relationship and this performance was about introducing themselves to the SBC.
After the show, Xolisa Ka Pakati, from the SBC, only had high praise.
“What a beautiful ensemble and what a powerful story! What I really appreciate is how the group is reclaiming their history and telling their story from their own perspective.”
Xolisa Sibutha from the department of sports, recreation and arts and culture (DSRAC) said seeing the production come to life was an important milestone for the department and for the arts in the province. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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