It seems odd to think that two men can act out on stage the rape of a young girl, and yet do it with sensitivity and much humour. Yet this is what happens in this striking production, with nothing more than a tiny cast, a bit of dialogue, gymnastics – and a rather large water melon. 
     Flo Deluge lived a happy life in her village, sang like an angel, and ran around the countryside picking flowers – until the dawn of one horrible day. Her preacher came upon her and raped her. Flo never sang to anyone again. She took herself to live in the nearby woods, and there occupied her body and mind by digging a very deep hole. She became dirtier and dirtier until the talk of her rape disappeared, and with the help of the preacher rumour spread that her hole was an attempt to reach hell, and that she was a witch. So fickle was the small community that when disaster visited their part of the world, she was the most convenient person to blame. 
     This story is a parable. Mouthpiece – a small South African theatre team – has managed to create a spellbinding moment of theatre that is a reflection and a summation of atrocities based on superstition and lack of understanding throughout human history. They have achieved something by their work that much larger companies in larger productions would strive hard to match. 
     The entire piece and its array of characters are played by Lionel Newton and Andrew Buckland. Their delicacy in dealing with distressing issues, the hilarious comedy with which they do it, and their dance bordering on gymnastics, is in combination amazing to watch. Their timing is immaculate and their transitions from one character to another– from drunkards to prim old ladies taking tea – is flawless. It makes marvellous theatre, and poignant commentary. 
     Their virtuosity brings their two main messages home. These are that at bottom we are all still very frightened by things we do not understand, and that it is always easier to ignore people in need than to help them. They are not new thoughts, but they are thoughts in constant need of iteration.
Elizabeth Shenton