Play review: "Road to Mecca"

Athol Fugard, the South African playwright, who is well known known for his political writings protesting apartheid, only touches on racial discrimination in his 1984 play, "The Road to Mecca." The revival, presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company, was inspired by Afrikaner artist Helen Martin, who, in the 1970‘s, created sculptures of owls, camels and more the all pointed east to Mecca,

Although it is beautifully written and the setting by Michael Yeargan is breathtaking, especially when candlelit, the play is not audience-friendly.The first act is long and often tedious as the characters are introduced. Elsa Barlow, a young English language teacher from Capetown has just driven12 hours to make an emergency visit to her friend, 70-year-old artist Helen.It takes a long time before we find out why she’s really come. 

The play requires the audience to pay close attention and it's often difficult to focus on the characters, despite the talented Carla Gugina as Elsa and the divine Rosemary Harris as Helen.

When Rev. Marius Byleveld (Jim Dale) appears, the play begins to have more substance as he represents outside conflict. The townspeople are concerned about Helen’s well-being, feeling that she should no longer live by herself. Yet Elsa questions whether they are concerned about Helen or feel threatened by her artwork (which we never see.) It is the artwork that Helen says she “sees” in herself and feels compelled to create. It is the artwork that is more important and meaningful than the church where she grew up.

At intermission I heard the women behind me critiquing the play, trying to simplistically reduce it.“There’s all sorts of symbolism.It’s about despair."

Yes, ladies, there’s a load of symbolism in the candles, trust, Helen’s artistic choices, the young mother who Elsa gives a ride to and even the notion of Mecca itself.

Helen is a marvel. She’s an artist, daring to isolate herself and create while she braves loneliness, isolation and scorn, and Rosemary Harris is incredible in her portrayal. The 84-year-old actress is moving and skillful and wins our sympathy. At first she seems fragile and frail, and we are angry with Elsa who won’t help her fend off Marius who is convincing her to enter a home for the aged. However, Elsa knows Helen better than we do and in the second act, Harris becomes a tower of energy, strength and passion.

Creativity is often a solitary pursuit, isolated and lonely for the artist, but, in this case, also for the audience at the American Airlines Theatre.

Unfortunately, as beautiful as the playwright’s messages are, the play is too obscure for the average theatergoers to enjoy, despite outstanding performances of the three actors. Much like Helen’s art work, "The Road to Mecca" is an abstruse work for and most will not find a connection.