Drums That Dance in the Dark

Utse has just realised her son's fate because he danced, violating the taboo
of dancing (the third to meet such mysterious circumstances). History is
about to repeat itself and the tragedy to come is all too familiar.

Her daughter, Gada, sets loose the emotions that come to the fore. But
while Utse and her husband, Malleah, fight against the odds, the seeds of
betrayal know no bounds. Utse and her husband put the wheels in motion
to 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 home
front. And when all is done, the men walk free, leaving Utse to come to
terms with her innocent daughter.

"Drums that Dance in the Dark" was first written in 1994, performed 1995, as
a competition entry entitled "The Last Dancer's Will". An update version was
written in 1997 called: "Dancing the Fool". The original performance never
made it to the competition because the powers that be had vested interests
elsewhere.

It is ironic, and disgracefully tragic, that the same ills this play explores
come to hold its publication for another 12 years.