 Kwamina
A Musical in Two Acts, 15 Scenes. Book by Robert Alan Arthur. Music
and lyrics by Richard Adler. Dances and musical numbers Staged by Agnes
de Mille. Settings and lighting designed by Will Steven Armstrong.
54th Street Theatre, New York - 23 October - 18 November 1961 (32 perfs.)
STORY:
ACT 1
A country in West Africa, soon to win independence
from British rule, is torn between its ancient superstitions and
its yearning for freedom and democracy. As the curtain rises, a tribal
chief, Nana Mwalla lies dying. Though Obitsebi, the fetish man, tries
to heal him with magic, it is the white lady doctor, Eve Jordan,
who is really responsible for the old man's recovery. The chief now
goes ahead with his preparations for the imminent arrival of his
son, Kwamina Mwalla, about to return to his home after years of medical
study in London. The only ones who are a bit down-cast about this
are the lovers, Naii and Ako, since Naii has been betrothed to Kwamina
from birth. But Ako, who is the overseer of the local cocoa bean
plantation, has work to do and he and his men go off to the fields.
When Kwamina arrives, he is first greeted warmly
by Obitsebi, his old friend, though friction soon develops between
the fetish man and the medical school doctor. This, however, cannot
dampen the enthusiasm of the elaborate homecoming ceremony.
The local clinic where Eve works adheres strictly
to the principle of segregation with one entrance marked "Europeans" and
the other marked "Natives." When Kwamina arrives to take
up his duties, he promptly gets into a fight with Blair, the British
Commissioner, who forbids him from using the European entrance. Eve,
who was born in Africa, tries to apologize to Kwamina, but he resents
her expressions of sympathy and she objects to his stubbornness.
When they have calmed down, they again make an attempt to be friends
but this is blocked when Eve explains the necessity of compromising
with Obitsebi. After another hot-tempered exchange, Eve makes fun
of Kwamina's London-acquired manners.
Tribal customs also have their humourous side.
In the village Nana Mwalla passes judgment on Akufo, a tribesman
suspected of adultery. His punishment: a fine of Seven Sheep, Four
Red Shirts, and a Bottle of Gin.
That night Ako and Naii meet in secret near the clinic. Because he
sees no hope of their marrying, Ako tells of his decision to go off
to the city and they leave together. Blair, escorting Eve to the
clinic, expresses his deep feelings for her, but she rebuffs him.
Later, she has her first friendly talk with Kwamina in his office,
but Blair sees them together and suspects the worst.
Later, everyone is gathered together and, with
much excitement, the people sing of their coming freedom. Meanwhile,
Eve finally convinces Kwamina that she is really his friend, but
they both are aware that it is impossible for them to behave like
ordinary people.
At a bazaar in town, Kwamina comes across Ako selling
saris and he buys one as a present for Eve. When Ako explains why
he has run away, Kwamina offers no objections to his marrying Naii.
Back at the village, Nana Mwalla tries to talk
with Kwamina about marrying Naii, but his son refuses to discuss
the matter. When they are alone, Obitsebi explains to the weary chief
that they cannot escape from their fate.
Eve and Kwamina meet in the woods. Not only does
he give her the sari, but he even gives her his tribal bracelet.
When he leaves, Eve is quite over-come with her feelings toward Kwamina.
At the clinic, the troubled young people, unable to resolve their
emotional dilemma, can hide their feelings no longer and rush into
each other's arms.
ACT II
Still determined that Naii marry Kwamina, Obitsebi
brings her to the compound for her pre-nuptial ceremony. Excited
about the forthcoming wedding, the women of the village are discussing
marriage with Naii at the clinic. After they leave, Ako enters, and
he and Naii escape. But, Obitsebi sees them and is immediately off
in pursuit. Left alone with Kwamina, Eve tells him that she must
leave because she does not want to spend her life loving in secret.
When Naii and Ako are apprehended, Obitsebi, in spite
of Kwamina's protests, decrees that they must die. Suddenly, Nana Mwalla
has a seizure and falls dead. Although, according to tribal custom,
three tribesmen must be put to death when the chief dies, Kwamina takes
his people to the House of Ancestors to hide them from Obitsebi. The
men of the tribe, however, perform a frenzied fetish dance to bring
about the deaths. Kwamina scoffs at these antics, but the witch doctor
informs him that Ako, and Naii, and also Akufo are dead. And, to his
horror, Kwamina discovers that it is true.
On Independence Day, Eve comforts the unhappy Kwamina
by insisting that this is not the end but the beginning. The natives
also pledge their help in building a new country, and on this optimistic
note the curtain falls.
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