Blessings
trey

First Production

‘da Kink in my hair was first produced by Plaitform Entertainment in association with Theatre Passe Muraille June 2003:

Percussion/Vocals by Amina Alfred

dub poem uncle john written by d’bi.young

Directed by Weyni Mengesha

Set Design & Props by janet romero

Lighting Design by Rebecca Picharack

Costume Design by Caffery VanHorn

Musical Directions & Arrangement by Alejandra Nunez

Movement Design by Ma’at Zachary & Roger C. Jeffrey

Movement Transition & Music Written by Weyni Mengesha

Stage Managed by Trina Sookhai

‘da kink in my hair was presented by Mirvish Productions at The Princess of Wales Theatre, January 11 to February 27, 2005 and extended four times until it eventually closed on April 24, 2005.

Directed by Weyni Mengesha

Dub Poem “in honour of belief” by d’bi.young

Act One Opening Scene

Stage dimly lit, a hairdressing shop. Alone on the stage is a hairdressing chair, at the edge of the stage is a tight coil, representing the hair. The Griot enters, she then calls the Goddess who enters proudly she blesses the stage. The Griot then calls the dancers/community who enter. They dance, this is a celebratory dance. Suddenly there is an urgent beat on the drum and the dancers stop. They reach for the coil which is sitting at the edge of the stage, which is abruptly pulled apart, and a frightful sound escape occurs as the dancers stop and they reenact the sizzling, frying, pain, agony and torture that black hair is subjected too. The drums beat faster and angry. It becomes a desperate frenzy of cries and moans and then there is a final beat of the drum and women take the afro pics and place them on the edge of the stage. Black out.

NOVELETTE enters.

Salon: Lights up on NOVELETTE, who sits in the hairdressing chair putting on her makeup. All the other women are frozen in tableau.

NOVELETTE:

(addresses the audience) My work is never done! I’m always working, working, working. You want me to talk to you, explain what’s going on in this play well forget it! Pick up a program and read it or something because I have no time to talk to you today! I’m a busy busy career woman. No time for myself. Isn’t that true Miss Lizzy. (She addresses the plant.) Oh I need to water you. Can’t forget about you. Don’t worry Miss Lizzy. I’ll get you your water soon. I have so much things to do… It never stops. (She grabs the broom and begins sweeping.) I’m telling you between doing my makeup, sweeping, and of course doing hair, the work never stops! Being a hairdresser is not an easy thing. (She walks over to the women frozen in tableau.) people rushing in here talking about oh Novelette, I want this style, this cut, this washed, this coloured, don’t they see I’m busy—