May 9 & 10, 2003
Venue: Image Auditorium, Chennai May 9 &
10: Image Auditorium, Chennai, 7 pm
"Flowers
Aren't Enough"
It is a monologue that tells the story of Michal, a young woman from an upper middle-class family who finds herself in an abusive relationship. We see her denial, guilt and despair and her sinking into darkness, until comes a turning point…and she decides to make a change. The show was originally produced under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Welfare. The monologue is woven from true stories and actual incidents. It has been performed over 600 times all over Israel, and has successfully toured India, New Zealand, Hawaii, Belgrade-Serbia, Australia and Northern America. The presentation of 60-minute duration was followed by a discussion with audience. Naomi Ackerman
"Ackerman
had almost no need for props for her 60 minute narrative... She is a consummate
actress."
- "Deflowered innocence" by Dhanya Parthasarathy (City Exps, May 12, 2003) "Superbly
enacted narrative."
"Naomi Ackerman's
monologue Flowers Aren't Enough at the Prakriti Foundation was not a kiss-and-makeup
tale. It was about harassment and cruelty, about domestic violence. An
ugly story all too common in a male dominant culture. The script, easy
and conversational, highlighted the gravity of the assault on a woman's
basic dignity. And Naomi's underplaying of the role-no hand wringing or
floods of tears as in a Tamil play – enhanced the effect. The message certainly
needed to be proclaimed again and again. And the audience listened in rapt
silence."
"She is
able to reach out in a manner that is neither strident or judgmental. It's
when she is most visible that she is able to blend into the audience and
become a part of them."
"There was
total silence in the audience. Someone in a corner began to clap. Another
clap came from another corner and the whole hall was full of claps. People
who were seated got up and gave a standing ovation…To change our society,
Naomi's thousand performances are not enough."
"Has the
impact of a blow to the solar plexus."
"The message
of the play is as clear as a placard – ‘Get help if you are being battered.'"
"So gripping
was the one-hour play that when the curtain fell, people did not get up
to leave."
|
Prakriti
Foundation presented in association with Consulate General of Israel, Mumbai,
and PCVC (Prevention of Crime and Victim Care), Chennai "Flowers Aren't
Enough", A play written and performed by Naomi Ackerman Production
manager - Raphael Harrington
She
researched, wrote and performs the play. An American born Israeli, she
received a BA from Hebrew University and teaching credentials from David
Yellin Teachers Seminar. She is also a graduate of the Nissan Native Acting
Studio. Naomi is an experienced actress whose credits include theatre,
musicals, films and television. She is a professional clown, street performer
and stilt walker. Naomi has participated in various multinational theatre
productions where Arab and Jewish actors from the region worked together.
She does theatre and film workshops sponsored by the 'Peres Center for
Peace' promoting tolerance and dialogue. She writes, directs and devises
plays with children at risk from various backgrounds – using their lives
and stories as material for the shows. Naomi is also a mediator and conflict
resolution specialist. She works as a freelance consultant with various
organizations, adapting and creating drama techniques to deal with social,
gender and educational issues.
Reviews
