Nduka Onwuegbute

Drums That Dance in the Dark Nduka Onwuegbute

Utse has just realised her son's fate because he danced, violating the tabooof dancing (the third to meet such mysterious circumstances). History isabout to repeat itself and the tragedy to come is all too familiar. Her daughter, Gada, sets loose the emotions that come to the fore. Butwhile Utse and her husband, Malleah, fight against the odds, the seeds ofbetrayal know no bounds. Utse and her husband put the wheels in motionto reinforce the ban, but then behind their every turn, sedition prevails. Utse's is the cry of war, war with the family she loves, war on the homefront. And when all is done, the men walk free, leaving Utse to come toterms with her innocent daughter."Drums that Dance in the Dark" was first written in 1994, performed 1995, asa competition entry entitled "The Last Dancer's Will". An update version waswritten in 1997 called: "Dancing the Fool". The original performance nevermade it to the competition because the powers that be had vested interestselsewhere.