Ravissement - Story of Bakhita - Theatre
Zianigo, Veneto. 1886.
When Bakhita meets Illuminato for the first time, she doesn't even look at him: she keeps her eyes downcast and her shoulders tucked in, like all the men she has met over the years.
When Illuminato meets Bakhita, he sees something he has never seen before: a black woman. And a slave.
When Bakhita met Illuminato for the second time, she dared to look up. Because that voice says nothing of anger, violence or even authority. Illuminato speaks to this young woman, the same words over and over, and it's as if he's talking to a wall.
There will be a third meeting, and then many more: these two have things to say to each other, despite the barriers of language and social status, religion and age, and the insurmountable barrier between their respective histories, for she has crossed Africa on foot, the desert on camelback and the sea in an ocean liner, amid so much violence that she cannot retrace her steps, while he has never left the land of his parents. No, really, they have nothing in common. And yet they will recognise each other as brother and sister.
Inspired by the true story of Bakhita (1869-1947), a young Sudanese slave whose path to liberation was extraordinary, Ravissement shows a friendship that becomes the cradle of a path of resilience. A show that plunges into the heart of a human and spiritual rebirth.
When Bakhita meets Illuminato for the first time, she doesn't even look at him: she keeps her eyes downcast and her shoulders tucked in, like all the men she has met over the years.
When Illuminato meets Bakhita, he sees something he has never seen before: a black woman. And a slave.
When Bakhita met Illuminato for the second time, she dared to look up. Because that voice says nothing of anger, violence or even authority. Illuminato speaks to this young woman, the same words over and over, and it's as if he's talking to a wall.
There will be a third meeting, and then many more: these two have things to say to each other, despite the barriers of language and social status, religion and age, and the insurmountable barrier between their respective histories, for she has crossed Africa on foot, the desert on camelback and the sea in an ocean liner, amid so much violence that she cannot retrace her steps, while he has never left the land of his parents. No, really, they have nothing in common. And yet they will recognise each other as brother and sister.
Inspired by the true story of Bakhita (1869-1947), a young Sudanese slave whose path to liberation was extraordinary, Ravissement shows a friendship that becomes the cradle of a path of resilience. A show that plunges into the heart of a human and spiritual rebirth.
