Les Blancs
| Les Blancs | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Lorraine Hansberry |
| Characters |
|
| Date premiered | November 15, 1970 |
| Place premiered | Longacre Theatre, New York City |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | Africa, colonialism, revolution |
| Setting | unnamed African village |
Les Blancs is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. It debuted on Broadway on November 15, 1970 and ran until December 19th of that same year. It debuted to heavy criticism. It was Lorraine Hansberry’s final work and she considered it her most important, as it depicts the plights of colonialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is her only play that takes place in Africa, and it uses dance and music both as signifiers of black and African cultures; a concept called the Black Aesthetic.
Writer Charlie Morris arrives at the Mission. He meets Dr. Marta Gotterling and Dr. Willy DeKoven. Major George Rice informs Charlie of the ongoing conflict between the Colonial Reserve and the Resistance.
Tshembe Matoseh returns to the village for the funeral of his father, who founded the Resistance. He tells his half-brother, Eric, of his family in England, and they discuss the struggle for independence. Abioseh Matoseh, the oldest brother, returns from London. He is in the process of ordination as a priest. Tshembe rejects Roman Catholicism, which creates a conflict of cultures between the brothers.
Charlie is attempting to convince Dr. Gotterling to join him for a walk when Major Rice and soldiers arrive and tell them of a family who has been murdered by the Resistance. Tshembe enters, and Major Rice searches him for a weapon. Rice calls the country “our home” and calls the hills “our hills,” indicating his sense of ownership of the land. In a conversation full of tension, Charlie expressed a desire to transcend race relations and Tshembe cast doubts on the possibility. The Woman dances onto the stage and holds a spear out for Tshembe to take, a symbol of the urge he feels to join the Resistance.
Charlie questions Dr. Gotterling about Madame Nielsen’s husband, Reverend Nielsen, who founded the Catholic mission. Dr. Gotterling defends Reverend Nielsen's decision to found the mission.
Tanya discovers Eric keeps cosmetics and uses his sexuality to question his masculinity. Charlie and Tanya talk, but Tanya is tired of words and tries explain to Charlie that nothing can come of their talking. Peter and Ngago enter to recruit Tanya to join the Resistance. Tanya tells them he will go speak to Kumalo, a national leader and negotiator, instead.
Rice orders troops to be quartered at the Mission. Kumalo has been arrested, and Reverend Nielsen still has not made an appearance. Charlie tries to get Madame Nielsen to offer a statement on the conflict in the country. Tanya now responds to the appearance of The Woman.
Eric expresses his desire to join the Resistance, but Tanya mocks his biracial identity and, again, questions his masculinity. Abioseh calls the Resistance the “Terror.” Tanya is critical of both his brothers. Abioseh goes to tell Major Rice about Peter’s role in the Resistance.
...
Wikipedia